Kosovar Ex-Premier Leaves For The Hague

Ramush Haradinaj (file photo) 9 March 2005 -- Ramush Haradinaj, who has resigned as Kosovo's prime minister, is on a plane today headed for The Hague where he is expected to voluntarily surrender to the UN tribunal to face war crimes charges in connection with the 1998-99 war against Serbian forces.

Haradinaj, an ethnic Albanian, announced his resignation yesterday. He has said he is innocent of any war crimes.

The UN tribunal has not yet made public details of Haradinaj's indictment. Serbian officials have accused Haradinaj, a former commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army, of responsibility in the killing of Serbian civilians and other crimes.

The international community has urged calm and restraint in Kosovo, cautioning against any renewal of violence as a result of Haradinaj's resignation.

(AFP/AP/Reuters)