Tirana, 26 October 1999 (RFE/RL) - The Albanian government says
Prime Minister Pandeli Majko will submit his resignation today, along with that of his entire cabinet, to President Rexhep Meidani. A written statement late yesterday said the step is being taken in the wake of Majko losing the leadership of the ruling Socialist Party two weeks ago. Majko was narrowly defeated in a party vote by former Prime Minister and ex-communist official Fatos Nano.
Correspondents say Majko, who took office a little more than a year ago, won respect abroad for his leadership during the conflict in neighboring Kosovo earlier this year, when he allowed NATO to use Albania as a staging area for troops and equipment. But little progress in combating Albania's problems with crime, corruption, and poverty has been made during his term.