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British PM postpones emergency cabinet meeting due to prolonged EU talks

Xinhua, February 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday canceled an emergency cabinet meeting due to unfinished negotiations at the on-going European Union (EU) summit.

Cameron and leaders of other EU member states were holding intense talks in Brussels about Britain's relationship with the EU.

"Negotiations are continuing into this evening. A Cabinet meeting won't be possible tonight. One will be held if and when a deal is done," the prime minister announced on his Twitter account.

Earlier this week, Downing Street said Cameron would hold an emergency cabinet meeting on Friday if he managed to reach a deal on British renegotiation at the EU summit, which runs from Thursday to Friday.

Such a cabinet meeting would see the suspension of "collective responsibility," and members of the cabinet would be allowed to express their individual views freely on Britain's membership in the EU, British Sky News reported Monday quoting anonymous sources.

Cameron has agreed to talk to his cabinet ministers who may have doubts over his EU renegotiation efforts.

Cameron has pledged to hold an "in or out" referendum on whether Britain should withdraw from the EU by 2017. He promised to campaign for his country to remain in the bloc if the EU agrees to reform as Britain has requested.

Downing Street has hinted the referendum might take place as early as in summer this year if Cameron secures a deal with the EU. Endit