Opposition Conservatives have sought a 'comprehensive' power-sharing deal with the small Liberal Democrat party after a knife-edge election left Britain in political limbo.

Conservative chief David Cameron made the offer after his party won most seats from Thursday's general election, but fell short of the overall majority needed to end 13 years of Labour rule, said a report in our sister publication, the Gulf Daly News.

'I want to make a big, open and comprehensive offer to the Liberal Democrats. I want us to work together in tackling our country's big and urgent problems,' Cameron was quoted as saying, while leaving open the possibility of a minority Conservative government, relying on support from partners to pass legislation on an ad hoc basis, if no overall deal is found.

Final results showed the Conservatives had 306 MPs compared to 258 for Labour and 57 for the Liberal Democrats, leaving the Tories short of the 326 seats majority in the 650-seat House of Commons.

Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown has the right to attempt to form a coalition first, but he accepted Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg's decision to talk with Cameron first.

Districts that have declared their results: 649/650 (one seat to be decided on May 27)

Conservatives: 306

Labour: 258
Liberal Democrats: 57
Others: 28

- TradeArabia News Service