BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY ACCEPTED ŠPIRIĆ'S RESIGNATION

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (November 13,2007) - The Bosnian Presidency accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Nikola Spiric, signalling the start of difficult talks on a new cabinet and possible early elections.

Haris Silajdzic,a member of the Bosnian Presidency, told reporters the Bosnian Presidency had tried to dissuade Spiric, but in the end had to accept his resignation.The presidency has 30 days to appoint prime minister designate, he said.

Whoever is nominated prime minister has to propose a cabinet and win parliamentary approval. If a deal is not reached, Bosnia must hold a parliamentary election, further delaying reforms the European Union says are needed for Bosnia to progress towards EU membership.