Collapse of Dutch coalition talks averted

AMSTERDAM, Sept 2 (Reuters) - A collapse in talks to form a new Dutch coalition government was averted on Thursday when the Christian Democrats opted to stay in the negotiations after resolving an internal dispute, party officials said.

The Liberals and Christian Democrats began talks on Aug. 9 about forming a minority government with parliamentary support from the Freedom Party.

A growing contingent of prominent Christian Democrats had called in recent days for the talks to end because of concerns about the Freedom Party's views on Islam, but the dispute was resolved at a late-night meeting. (Reporting by Ben Berkowitz)