A very rough transcription (in both French and English) of comments made by various Liberal Members of Parliament and the Senate as they exited this morning's Liberal caucus meeting follows.

Dominic le Blanc (Candidate for Liberal Party leadership):

Fully agrees with idea of coalition government; We've decided the best person to lead the coalition is the elected leader of our party, Stéphane Dion. The leadership campaign will continue.

Michael Ignatieff (Candidate for Liberal Party leadership):

We will continue the leadership race in the normal fashion; I want to emph that there is total agreement in the caucus because its [the agreement is] based on fiscal responsibility, responsible economic leadership and equality in touch times, and for the national unity of this country; I support it enthusiastically; I also want to say that the only leader that can support us in this context is the duly elected leader of the party.

Bob Rae (Candidate for Liberal Party leadership):

A historic caucus meeting, very up beat, moving in fact. Harper has lost the confidence of the house of commons. Mr. Dion has the right to lead the government until such time as a new leader has been chosen in Vancouver at the leadership convention. We haven't had those discussions (over cabinet posts) but you can certainly speak to Mr. Dion; I don't see it as an issue one way or the other. Responding to a question by Don Newman: 65% of canadians said they did not want Mr. Harper as Prime Minister.

That parliamentary system is strong and that parliamentary system is going to produce the best government for the country. Mr. Harper has no one to blame but himself. The governor general has to sign a request from the Prime Minister to prorogue the House; I don't think there is a case that she should sign it.

John McCallum (former Minister of Finance and National Defence):

Each and every step any new govt will have first and foremost the importance of business confidence; I am sure you will agree that condition will have been satisfied

Liberal Senator David Smith:

This is history I've never seen anything like it. [Dion] is an honest person and people trust his integrity and people trust that he'll step down as he has said he would. I've never seen so much harmony and unity. It's genuine, I was moved.

Gerard Kenedy:

What you have here is a somewhat extraord plan taking shape; Responding to the needs of Canadians; Find a way to make parliament work together - the opportunity is being made firmer, a lot of work done on weekend - a clear, sound alternative to what Mr. Harper proposed. Truth that this is a challenge. It took extraordinary faith on the part of parties used to opposing each other to come together.