Munich  - Horst Seehofer, head of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) party, Saturday evening said he had turned down an offer to resign by federal Economics Minister Michael Glos.

Seehofer, who is also prime minister of the southern state of Bavaria, was quoted by a spokesman as having said, "Michael Glos has my trust. I have told Michael Glos by telephone that I am not agreeing to his request."

Seehofer said he would hold "personal talks" with Glos in order to discuss the reasons which the Economics Minister had cited in his letter offering to resign.

Munich - German Agriculture Minister Horst Seehofer won nomination Wednesday to become premier of the southern state of Bavaria, making his election a practical certainty.

The position was up for grabs after Guenther Beckstein announced last week that he would step down after a disastrous election setback for his conservative party, the Christian Social Union
(CSU).

The caucus of CSU state legislators picked Seehofer as their candidate to lead the state's next government, with 88 per cent in favour.

Munich - German Agriculture Minister Horst Seehofer is poised to become prime minister of the southern state of Bavaria after his two rivals for the post pulled out Tuesday.

The position became is up for grabs after Guenther Beckstein announced last week that he would step down, making him the second casualty of a disastrous election setback for his conservative party, the Christian Social Union (CSU).