The Serbia- Montenegro Parliament on Friday evening elected retired general Zoran Stankovic as the Balkan country's new defense minister.

Of the 110 MPs participating in the parliament session, 72 MPs voted in favor, 36 against and 2 abstained.

Stankovic, former head of the Belgrade military hospital, will succeed the outgoing minister Prvoslav Davinic, who was forced to resign over a corruption scandal with the purchase of military equipment.

Serbia-Montenegro parliament Speaker Zoran Sami said that the election of Stankovic as new defense minister paves the way for continuing army reform.

Stankovic said after his election that all his future activities will be open to public assessment.

The army must have its status in society, Stankovic said, adding that he will endeavor to justify his election to the best of his capabilities.

Stankovic was nominated to the post by Serbia-Montenegro President Svetozar Marovic earlier this month.

His nomination has stirred controversy as he was viewed as an ally of top UN war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic, who has been sought by the international tribunal in The Hague. Stankovic has denied his knowledge of Mladic's whereabouts.

Source: Xinhua