CHISINAU: The Moldovan Parliament has dismissed the government of Prime Minister Valieriu Strelet following a no-confidence vote.

A total of 65 lawmakers in the 101-seat legislature voted Thursday against the government of Strelet, who was appointed on July 30.

Tensions within the pro-European ruling coalition have grown since the arrest of Vlad Filat, prime minister from 2009 to 2013, over a massive bank fraud. He was arrested on charges of taking bribes of $260 million.

It was allegedly part of a bank fraud in which up to $1.5 billion went missing from three banks ahead of 2014 elections.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Earlier story is below.

Moldova's prime minister says he won't resign as Parliament prepares to vote on a motion of no-confidence against his government following the arrest of a former prime minister over a massive bank fraud.

Premier Valeriu Strele? said Thursday stepping down would mean that he recognized allegations against him of corruption and a delay in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

Amid tensions in the ruling coalition, Democratic Party leader Marian Lupu called on Strelet to resign. Parliament will vote later on whether to dismiss Strelet's government.

Vlad Filat, premier from 2009 to 2013, was arrested on Oct. 15 on charges of taking bribes of $260 million. It was allegedly part of a bank fraud in which up to $1.5 billion went missing from three banks ahead of 2014 elections.