Belgrade Mayor Sapic resigns ahead of early elections

BELGRADE - Belgrade Mayor Aleksandar Sapic formally resigned on Friday to initiate the creation of legal conditions for December 17 early elections in the city, to be held simultaneously with parliamentary and provincial elections in Serbia.

In an official statement, Sapic said he would continue to lead the city until election day and a "final test" of Belgraders' trust in the city authorities.

"With equal commitment and dedication, I will continue to perform the job of mayor to ensure unobstructed implementation of all the revolutionary social measures as well as projects we have carried out, launched or announced, which have marked the period since I came to this post," Sapic said.

He said he expected to also remain at the helm of the city after the Serbian government appointed an interim authority in the capital and after all legal conditions were in place to call elections for December 17.