Serb deputy PM quits citing govt failure over EU

BELGRADE, May 3 (Reuters) Serbian deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus today resigned, saying the government's failure to arrest fugitive Ratko Mladic and the resulting suspension of EU talks was a ''betrayal of the Serbian people''.

His departure from the government of Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica is the first fallout from the suspension of EU talks earlier today, and the first serious rift in the minority coalition's two years in power.

''The European Union suspended stabilisation talks because your government, contrary to your promise, did not secure the political conditions for the continuation of talks,'' he said in a letter of resignation addressed to Kostunica.

''As a deputy prime minister and the head of the negotiating team for EU accession I do not want to take part in such politics,'' he wrote.

REUTERS KD ND1916