German Chancellor Mr Gerhard Schröder has won a confidence motion in parliament, averting the collapse of his government and a possible early election.
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Mr Gerhard Schróder
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His coalition government of Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens had been on the verge of collapse because pacifist deputies from both parties said they could not support the chancellor's plans to mobilise up to 3,900 troops for the US-led Afghan campaign.
But rebel deputies backed down this morning ahead of the vote.
The SPD and Greens theoretically have 341 votes in the 666-seat parliament. Mr Schröder needed at least 334 votes to win and in the event received 336.
Mr Schröder had called the confidence vote on Wednesday, linking it to the vote seeking backing for the first possible deployment of German troops outside Europe since World War Two, which many deputies had opposed.
Mr Schröder could have mustered a majority with opposition support but opted for the confidence motion to bring rebels in his ranks into line.