UPDATE - Kosovo's president dissolves assembly, calls elections

REVISED HEADLINE, DECK; UPDATED WITH MORE DETAILS

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Kosovo's president on Wednesday dissolved the assembly and called for early parliamentary elections on Feb. 14.

The action by Vjosa Osmani followed the Kosovo Constitutional Court issuing a detailed verdict declaring the election of Avdullah Hoti's government last June illegal.

Kosovo's Central Election Commission (CEC) was also ordered to take all necessary actions for the organization and holding of parliamentary elections.

Osmani's decision was based on constitutional responsibilities and the Constitutional Court ruling and followed talks with parliamentary parties and the Central Election Commission.

In its detailed ruling issued Wednesday, the Constitutional Court said the June vote was unconstitutional because MP Etem Arifi from the Ashkali Party, who cast a ballot, had previously served over a year in prison for corruption.

Osmani – who as parliament speaker is now holding the presidency temporarily – had a deadline to call the elections within 40 days from the dissolution of parliament.

Kosovar President Hashim Thaci resigned last November after being indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.