Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has resigned amid pressure on his Government after the biggest party in his coalition quit over his support for the UN global compact on migration.

Key points: Mr Michel quit due to ongoing upheaval within his minority Government over the signing of UN's migration treaty

Mr Michel quit due to ongoing upheaval within his minority Government over the signing of UN's migration treaty The PM went to see the Belgian King, who is "withholding his decision" on what steps to take next

The PM went to see the Belgian King, who is "withholding his decision" on what steps to take next The right-wing N-VA party quit the Government coalition just over a week ago

Mr Michel told Belgian MPs: "I am taking the decision to offer my resignation. I am now going to see the King [to inform him]."

The politicians had been demanding that he submit his new minority Government to a confidence vote, but Mr Michel had so far refused and a confrontation seemed likely this week.

Mr Michel tried to convince them of the reshaped Government's plans and said he would be ready to work with the Opposition, but his overtures were rejected. His 2019 budget was among the sensitive topics up for debate.

Some in the assembly pushed for an election to be held before the regularly scheduled one in May. Mr Michel again refused, saying it would only lead to "stagnation for the whole of 2019".

As politicians applauded, he picked up his briefcase, shook the hands of a number of Government ministers, and left.

Mr Michel made no comment to reporters upon entering and leaving Belgian King Philippe's residence, the Palace of Laeken in Brussels.

The King holds a largely symbolic role in Belgium but becomes a pivotal figure after inconclusive elections or disputes like the current one that require the formation of new governments.

In a tweet, the Royal Palace said King Philippe had received Mr Michel and was "withholding his decision" about what steps to take next.

It was not immediately clear whether the King had accepted the resignation the Prime Minister tendered on behalf of himself and his Government.

Mr Michel could be invited to lead a caretaker government until consultations with other party leaders can be held.

The right-wing N-VA party quit the Government after Mr Michel sought parliamentary approval to support the UN compact against its wishes, branding his minority Government "the Marrakech coalition", after the city where the migration treaty was signed just over a week ago.

The accord is non-binding, but the N-VA said it still went too far and would give even migrants who were in Belgium without authorisation many additional rights.

The party launched an in-your-face social media campaign against the compact, featuring pictures of Muslim women with their faces covered and claiming that the accord focused on allowing migrants to retain the cultural practices of their homelands.

But it quickly withdrew the materials after the campaign received widespread criticism.

A number of governments refused to sign the UN Global Compact Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

They included the United States, but also a group of European Union countries, among them Austria, which holds the EU's rotating presidency until December 31.

AP