Tense negotiations over the formation of the next British government continued Tuesday with party leaders urging a decision five days after the general election, DPA reported.
Top strategists of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour Party were meeting a Liberal Democrat negotiating team for formal discussions to form what has been called a "progressive alliance."
The Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) started official talks with Labour Monday after Brown announced he would stand down as Labour leader - and subsequently as prime minister - by September at the latest.
But Liberal leader Nick Clegg, who holds the key to a resolution of the present power vacuum, has said he would also continue to talk to the Conservatives.
Tory leader David Cameron said Monday it was now "decision time" for the Lib Dems, after his party made a major concession on electoral reform late Monday.
The Conservatives emerged as the biggest party from last Thursday's poll. But Labour, which suffered heavy losses, is also keen to strike a deal with the Lib Dems to enable it to continue to stay in power.