Malawi leader threatens to close parliament over budget

LILONGWE, August 14 (Reuters) Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika today said he would close down the parliament if the country's budget crisis was not resolved within two days.

The budget debate, which should have been concluded by June 30, was indefinitely suspended last month over a dispute on the poaching of members of the opposition by the ruling party.

''I am giving them two days -- today and tomorrow -- and if today and tomorrow they do not start discussing seriously the budget I am closing down the parliament,'' Wa Mutharika said in a speech monitored on state radio.

Reuters RSA DB2302