QUEBEC CITY - A former Quebec justice minister is dropping his legal fights against Premier Jean Charest and a provincial inquiry.

Marc Bellemare says he and the premier have dropped their lawsuits against each other, and that he is also ending his legal challenge against the Bastarache commission.

The inquiry by former Supreme Court of Canada justice Michel Bastarache concluded there was no proof Charest allowed Liberal party fundraisers to essentially select some judges in 2003 and 2004.

Bellemare alleged, several years later, he told the premier at a meeting in September 2003 that he had been approached to appoint friends of Liberal fundraisers. He says Charest ignored him.

The premier has steadfastly denied that any such meeting took place with Bellemare.

Bellemare and the premier ended up suing each other.

Charest was first off the mark, filing a $700,000 defamation lawsuit last spring.

Bellemare upped the ante last September with a $900,000 lawsuit that alleged he had suffered significant damage since Charest's lawsuit was filed and since the beginning of the commission's work.

On Monday, Bellemare issued a statement saying he suggested to Charest last week that they drop their lawsuits against one another.

Bellemare said Charest agreed, and that led to the former justice minister deciding to drop his legal challenge against the commission.

In Monday's statement, Bellemare reiterated he had told the truth during the commission, but he said he believes Quebecers have paid enough and that it is time for Charest to concentrate fully on government business.