Albanian deputy PM resigns

14 January 2011 | 16:17 | Source: Beta

TIRANA -- Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Ilir Meta resigned today amid corruption accusations. Ilir Meta (Beta) Meta resigned after Top-Channel TV aired a videotape which shows him asking former Economy Minister Dritan Prifti to intervene over a hydropower plant concession tender. “I have irrevocably resigned in order to allow the investigation into the case,” he stated, adding that he had informed Prime Minister Sali Berisha about his decision. Meta renounced his parliamentary immunity and expressed readiness to cooperate in the investigation immediately after the videotape was aired. Albanian State Prosecution has launched an investigation and Prifti has confirmed the video’s authenticity.