The EU has agreed to a request for a Brexit deadline extension but set no new departure date, giving Britain's divided parliament time to
"There was full agreement on the need for an extension," an EU official said after ambassadors from the 27 countries in the bloc met to discuss postponing Britain's exit, less than a week before the current deadline of 31 October.
Work will continue over the weekend and envoys will meet again in Brussels on Monday or Tuesday, the person said.
A day after admitting he will not meet his "do or die" Brexit deadline of 31 October, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was up to the EU to decide on an extension.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Source: AAP
"Of course October 31 is still possible - we could leave on October 31 - unfortunately it depends on what the EU says," Mr Johnson said.
Mr Johnson added that if opponents frustrate his bid for an election on 12 December his minority government would not engage in pointless "Brexitology" in parliament.
The EU envoys had been due to discuss the length of a third delay to Brexit on Friday but diplomats decided to hold off to let events play out in London.
One EU diplomat said France pressed the other 26 to wait and favoured a delay until 15 November or 30 November to keep the pressure on the British parliament to approve Mr Johnson's deal or face a disorderly Brexit.
'Of course October 31 is still possible - we could leave on October 31': Boris Johnson. Source: UK PARLIAMENT
"Everyone wanted a decision today. But France had a problem with that and wanted to wait until Monday/Tuesday to see what happens in London," the diplomat said.
A source close to French President Emmanuel Macron said France wanted "a justified and proportionate extension".
"However, we have nothing of the sort so far. We must show the British that it is up to them to clarify the situation and that an extension is not a given," the source said.
Mr Macron has previously managed to sway the bloc's extension decisions, meaning options range from two weeks to the three months - to January 31, 2020 - requested by Johnson, or longer should it be clear that Britain is headed for an election.
Any delay can only be granted unanimously and it could come as little as 60 hours before Britain is due to leave.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) poses with French President Emmanuel Macron during a bi-lateral meeting on the sidelines of a European Union Summit. Source: AFP
The EU is intent on preventing the most damaging no-deal split, but it is also tired of the intractable divorce.
A joke in that spirit was being shared among EU diplomats: "The year is 2192. The British prime minister visits Brussels to ask for an extension of the Brexit deadline. No one remembers where this tradition originated, but every year it attracts many tourists from all over the world."
With AAP...
