Kosovo President Steps Down

Behgjet Pacolli (file photo)

Kosovo's President Behgjet Pacolli has resigned following a Constitutional Court ruling that his election was illegal.

The court said the newly elected president must step down from his post because his election violated the country's constitution.

The nine-member court said the vote in parliament "was unconstitutional and shall no longer be in force."

In the ruling posted on its website, the court said more than one candidate for the presidency was required for an election to be valid, and at least two-thirds of parliament's 120 lawmakers had to be present.

Only 67 lawmakers were at the vote, because most opposition members walked out in protest over the nomination of Pacolli, a multimillionaire businessman.

compiled from agency reports