Christian Democrat Leterme asked to form Belgian gov't

BRUSSELS, July 16 (Reuters) Belgium's King Albert has asked Christian Democrat Yves Leterme to form a new government, a spokesman for the Flemish Christian Democrat party said.

Leterme, whose party won the most seats in a parliamentary election in June, had resigned from his post as premier of Flanders to prepare for a widely expected move to head Belgium's next government.

"I expect he will talk only with the Liberals and the Christian Democrats (in discussions to form the government)," said party spokesman Peter Poulussen yesterday.

The Christian Democrats and the Liberals did well in the election, while the Socialists suffered big losses.

Leterme, 46, won partly due to a pledge to devolve more powers from the federal level to the regions, notably Flanders.

Reuters JK VP0425