The Norwegian Prime Minister, Kjell Magne Bondevik, has taken sick leave for at least a week, after doctors said he was suffering from depression caused by overwork.

A BBC Correspondent in Oslo said Mr Bondevik was facing problems in getting parliamentary approval for his budget after a decline in the value of the Norwegian krone, caused by falling oil prices.

The Culture Minister, Anne Enger Lahnstein, who took over as acting prime minister, denied that Mr Bondevik's illness could bring down his minority coalition government.

Mr Bondevik, who is an ordained Lutheran pastor, has also postponed a Middle Eastern trip.