THE HAGUE, April 23: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte`s liberal government quit on Monday after the collapse of a parliamentary partnership with a far-right party, paving the way for early elections.

The under-pressure premier tendered his cabinet`s resignation to Queen Beatrix at her Hague palace and left shortly afterwards at around 4.00 pm (1600 GMT).

A few minutes after Mr Rutte left, the Dutch government`s information service said in a statement: `Prime Minister Mark Rutte has offered to her Majesty the Queen the resignation of all ministers and deputy ministers with immediate effect.` After a two-hour meeting, `the Queen is considering the resignation, but has asked all ministers and deputy ministers to continue to do everything that is necessary in the interests of the kingdom,` the statement added.

Mr Rutte had said earlier that a rift with anti-Muslim politician Geert Wilders` Freedom Party would likely lead to early elections -AFP