Albania's Prime Minister quits over infighting

Albania's Prime Minister resigned yesterday after months of inter-party quarrels and deepening crisis in one of Europe's poorest countries.

"My cabinet has been under an ongoing unprecedented aggression of attacks and insults," said Ilir Meta, announcing his resignation. He accused Fatos Nano, the leader of his Socialist Party, of instigating the crisis because of Mr Meta's refusal to support him as a presidential candidate.

The resignation was the climax of months of wrangling that has crippled government efforts to run the country and deal with the economic consequences of a winter so severe that officials have declared a state of emergency.

Mr Meta called on the Interior Ministry to maintain public order. He also urged ministers to keep working to ensure stability until the formation of a new government.

Mr Nano is widely seen as representing the old guard of the Socialists, the reformed Communists, while Mr Meta, 32, is the head of the party's reform wing, committed to democracy and a free market.

Mr Nano, who has had claims of misconduct made against him, accused the government of corruption and incompetence, demanding that the cabinet be restructured. He also accused the Prime Minister of appointing friends or allies to ministerial posts.

Four ministers have resigned recently, including the Finance Minister, to try to ease the crisis. Mr Nano stalled efforts to replace them, putting pressure on Mr Meta to restructure the cabinet in a struggle that, in effect, crippled the government. A final effort to bridge differences failed yesterday, when Mr Nano said he would only back a new cabinet if Mr Meta supported his presidential bid.

Internationally, Mr Meta's government has been praised for improving the economy and combating corruption, smuggling and other crime.