The head of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), German diplomat Joachim Rucker, will leave his post this week.
Rucker announced his decision to leave the UN position on Monday, following a meeting in Pristina with Kosovo's president, prime minister and speaker of parliament.
EU and International Civil Representative in Kosovo, Pieter Faith, also attended the meeting.
Rucker said that his departure does not mean the end of the UNMIK, which has been in Kosovo since June 1999.
"As long as (UN Security Council Resolution) 1244 is in place, the UN will always have a role in Kosovo," he said.
The UN's role is very clear to everyone following UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon's letter to Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu regarding UNMIK reconfiguration, Rucker pointed out.
"We will adapt to the changing circumstances in a very profound way," he said.
Rucker said that his successor is likely to have comparatively limited powers. Italy's Lamberto Zannier is expected to be the next head of UNMIK.
Rucker took up the post in August 2006, and his contract with the United Nations expires next month.
Last Thursday, Russia demanded disciplinary action against Rucker for "preparing to hand over power to a European Union mission" that Moscow says is illegal.
Rucker did not respond when asked whether pressure from Russia was the reason for his departure.
Source:Xinhua
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