Mr Thabane told a popular newspaper that nobody had the right to set the time for his departure, despite a government pledge to give him a dignified exit.

The 80-year-old prime minister has been under pressure to step down over suspicions he was involved in the murder of his estranged wife three years ago.

His current wife has been charged over the killing. Some members of Mr Thabane's own party say they want him to go immediately.