The United Nations says the failure by Kosovo lawmakers to form a government more than two months after elections is causing the country to miss out on "important" economic and social opportunities.

The head of the UN mission in Kosovo, Zahir Tanin, said on August 16 that the deadlock sparked by an inconclusive June 11 snap election has caused the cancellation or deferral of financial aid and investment in the country, according to RFE/RL.

http://www.finchannel.com/~finchannel/world/67333-un-warns-kosovo-that-political-stalemate-is-harming-economy-social-opportunities

Afghanistan now joined Denmark, which for 16 years of a UN protectorate in Kosovo had two heads of UNMIK. By the decision of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the outgoing UNMIK chief Farid Zarif will be replaced by his compatriot Zahir Tanin, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the world organization. The ninth head of the UN Mission in Kosovo should take office on August 31.