Kosovo ruling coalition in crisis following deputy minister's dismissal

PRISTINA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The ruling coalition in Kosovo fell into deep crisis Tuesday after the junior partner Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) refused Prime Minister Hashim Thaci's decision to dismiss Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Naser Osmani.

Thaci dismissed Osmani on Monday, only hours after he quarreled with a government minister of the ruling coalition during a parliament session.

The LDK presidency held an emergency meeting Tuesday, concluding that Thaci's decision is a violation of the coalition agreement.

The LDK asked Thaci, who is the leader of the senior coalition partner Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) to revoke the decision and initiate an urgent meeting of the coalition partners' leaders.

"The leaders of coalition partners must discuss immediately the current situation, therefore we consider the issue as an unresolved problem," said Fadil Ferati, the LDK vice president.

The PDK-LDK coalition was formed in January 2008, despite strong opposition from the wide membership of both parties due to the enmity they inherited from the late 1990s, before and during the war period in Kosovo.

The crisis started Monday at a parliament session when Transport and Telecommunications Minister Fatmir Limaj of the PDK and Osmani exchanged insults and other MPs reacted in order to dampen their quarrel.

Asked if the situation may lead to the end of the coalition, Osmani didn't rule out such an epilog.

"If it's necessary, it may happen," said Osmani.

Earlier on Tuesday, Thaci justified his decision, saying it is based on the principles of the government.

"This issue has nothing to do with names or parties, it has to do with regulations and principles I work with as a prime minister and the government," said Thaci.