Booed in Luxembourg, UK's Johnson says Brexit deal is emerging

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson received a frosty reception in Luxembourg on Monday (September 16) as he arrived for talks with his counterpart Xavier Bettel.

Protesters gathered outside the Luxembourg Prime Minister's office, holding anti-Brexit signs and chanting anti-Brexit slogans.

Such was the noise that Johnson then canceled a joint press conference, leaving Bettel to speak to reporters beside an empty podium.

Speaking to the media away from the booing crowds, the British prime minister talked about the possibilities of securing a Brexit agreement:

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, BORIS JOHNSON, SAYING:

"Yes there is a good chance of a deal, yes I can see the shape of it, everybody can see roughly what could be done. But it will require movement and it will require the system by which the EU can control the UK after we leave, the so-called backstop, to go."

Earlier in the day, Johnson reportedly dined on snails, salmon and cheese, while holding Brexit talks with the EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker and the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier.

But Juncker accused Johnson of still not proposing an alternative to the contentious Irish backstop.

The future of the land border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland is the central issue of disagreement both between Johnson and the EU, and between Johnson and British lawmakers.

Britain is due to leave the EU in less than seven weeks.

On Monday, Johnson's office reiterated that the British leader will not be requesting a delay.