Belgium: We will not foot bank bill

BELGIUM has warned France that it was not willing to foot the whole bill for rescuing Dexia as the two states started talks to divide up the Franco-Belgian lender’s assets.

Dexia, whose shares were suspended yesterday, confirmed its board would meet in Paris on Saturday to vote on a break-up plan after Belgium and France pledged to guarantee its financing in the face of a dramatic share-price slide.

Belgian caretaker prime minister Yves Leterme told RTL radio that Belgium wanted a fair sharing of the burden. The French finance ministry did not give a reaction.