Malta's president dissolves Parliament

Malta's president dissolves Parliament, sets parliamentary elections for March 9

VALLETTA, Malta (AP) -- Malta's president has dissolved Parliament and set national elections for March 9.

The election decree Monday had been expected since the government of the eurozone island nation lost a vote on the budget Dec. 10.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and opposition leader, Joseph Muscat, plan to address party activists later Monday, kicking off the campaign.