Dutch Prime Minister says Minister resigns but Dutch coalition remains in place

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof's right-wing government averted a crisis Friday when a junior minister resigned over alleged racist comments by cabinet colleagues, but the coalition government will remain in place.

Deputy Finance Minister Nora Achahbar handed in her resignation late Friday.Her departure prompted speculation that other members of NSC party -- a junior partner in the four-party Dutch coalition government -- would follow suit.But late Friday, Schoof told journalists at a press conference that party leaders decided to continue to work together, averting the potential fall of his not yet five-month-old government.