The Nationalist Party's parliamentary group held a 30-minute meeting at PN headquarters this afternoon but MPs said later that the no-confidence debate will proceed as planned from this evening.

Rebel MP Franco Debono had said he may attend, but did not turn up.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi briefed MPs on developments and told journalists afterwards that the meeting had discussed how the no-confidence debate would proceed.

Dr Debono earlier this afternoon said he would not support the government, but he did not rule out abstaining on the confidence vote - effectively saving the government but keeping it on the brink (see separate story at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120123/local/No-casting-vote-required.403442 ).

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