Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Friday nominated two new people to replace Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta who resigned over claims he tried to influence a state tender in return for a kickback.

Meta, who also resigned his position as economy minister, has denied the allegations by former economy minister Dritan Prifti. But he said he was stepping down to help a judicial investigation, because as a government minister he would have enjoyed immunity from prosecution.

"I leave the governing posts to go to the prosecutor's office," Meta said.

Prime Minister Sali Berisha said he had accepted the deputy prime minister's resignation, and praised Meta's decision to co-operate with the investigation...

The Canadian Press              15/01/2011