Belgian political parties have struck a deal for a coalition government under Christian Democrat Yves Leterme, who will take the reins of government on Thursday.
Mr Leterme announced the deal this morning, which should finally bring to an end a nine-month political crisis that came close to splitting the country in half.
Agreement on a political programme followed a night of negotiations between two Dutch-speaking Flemish parties and three francophone parties, allowing a permanent coalition government to be set up with an agreed agenda.
Since the June 2007 elections, Belgium has been engulfed in a political crisis with the richer Flemish north seeking more regional powers - a move opposed by leaders in the poorer French-speaking southern region of Wallonia.
The last sticking points included differences over social, health and justice policies.
Mr Leterme, 47, whose Christian Democrats came out on top in last year's general election, is due to present his ministers at the royal palace on Thursday morning.
He will take over from outgoing prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, who had agreed to stay on as interim leader until now.
