Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte survived a no-confidence vote early Friday over claims he lied about coalition talks, local media reported.

Opposition lawmakers accused him of lying and undermining public trust in politicians, but failed to pass the no-confidence motion which would have forced him to resign.

"Parliament has given me a serious message and I will try my very best to win back confidence," Rutte said after the debate. It was not clear when and in what form government formation talks would resume.

The crisis arose on Thursday after Rutte acknowledged having privately discussed what job should go to Pieter Omtzigt, a prominent member of parliament, who had been critical of his previous cabinet. He had previously said he did not do so.

Sigrid Kaag, the leader of the second largest party in parliament, said she was not sure whether she would now be willing to join a new government headed by the prime minister.

"If I were him, I would not continue," she said when asked about Rutte's position.

Rutte was the winner of the March 17 parliamentary elections that were seen as a referendum on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

Talks on forming a new government were abruptly put on hold on March 25 when one of the chief negotiators unwittingly revealed a sensitive document to a news photographer as she rushed out of parliament after learning that she had tested positive for COVID-19.

The document showed that negotiators were discussing a position "elsewhere" for Omtzigt, though Omtzigt's Christian Democrats were part of the ruling coalition. The cryptic remark has been interpreted as implying outside parliament or outside the Netherlands.

Omtzigt, who was sworn in as a member of parliament on Wednesday, said the implication he should be removed was "an affront to the Dutch voter."

Rutte apologized to Omtzigt for what had happened during the debate but emphasized that "I never lied."

(With input from Reuters)