Kosovo parliament appoints prime minister and president

Kosovo’s parliament elected former rebel leader Hashim Thaci to a second term as prime minister and chose businessman Behgjet Pacolli as the country’s new president.

Mr Thaci was voted in 65-1 to head a coalition government facing growing social tensions and a new round of talks with Serbia aimed at resolving a score of disputes.

He also faces an investigation into allegations that members of the now-disbanded Kosovo Liberation Army once sold the organs of their civilian captives.

Mr Pacolli, a self-declared multi-millionaire who owns a Swiss-based construction company, received 62 votes, with four against.

Mr Pacolli, the country’s second president since Kosovo seceded from Serbia in 2008, was elected on the third attempt, after failing to secure at least 80 votes in the first two rounds of voting as required by law.

Just 67 of 120 politicians were present as most of the opposition had walked out in protest over his nomination.