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Britain's Two Main Opposition Parties Continue Coalition Talks


Leaders of Britain's two main opposition parties resumed talks Sunday on forming a new power-sharing government, after elections last week that failed to produce a clear winner.

Negotiators for the first-place Conservatives and the third-place Liberal Democrats opened a second round of talks that were expected to last through much of the day.

Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg met face-to-face Saturday for the first round of talks.

Cameron's Conservatives won 360 seats in the House of Commons, but fell 20 seats short of a majority. They are hoping to join forces with the Liberal Democrats, who won 57 seats.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose Labor Party lost 91 parliamentary seats to finish second, says he would be willing to form a government with the Liberal Democrats, if that party fails to strike a deal with Conservatives.

Mr. Brown, whose Labor Party has ruled since 1997, will continue to serve as a caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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