International Leaders Call For Reforms In Bosnia

Demonstrators rally in front of the federal parliament building in Sarajevo on February 12, as protests over unemployment, corruption, and political paralysis enter their second week.

International leaders are calling on Bosnian politicians to show "leadership" and speed up reforms following the worst social unrest in the country since the 1992-95 war.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague, in a statement on February 12, also called for a "renewed effort" from the European Union to help Bosnia-Herzegovina solve its problems.

Nicholas Hill, charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, in an interview with RFE/RL said the political leadership "has failed in its task of delivering in the past several years" and that now it had the opportunity to do so.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, on a visit to Sarajevo on February 12, spoke of the urgent need of international action to support Bosnia.

Protests in Bosnia over unemployment, corruption, and political paralysis are now in their second week.

With reporting by Reuters