Mayor of Serbian Capital Quits to Protest Regime’s Stand, Reports Say

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia — The mayor of Belgrade, an ally of President Slobodan Milosevic, has reportedly resigned in protest over the Serbian leader’s refusal to concede electoral defeat in the capital.

The departure of Mayor Nebojsa Covic, reported in Belgrade newspapers Saturday, could not be immediately confirmed. But, if true, it would mark the first major defection from the president’s Socialist Party core since street protests began nearly seven weeks ago to demand recognition of opposition victories.

Two independent newspapers, Nasa Borba and Dnevni Telegraf, reported that Covic decided Friday to leave office Saturday. Covic’s office was closed Saturday, and he could not be reached to confirm the reports.

After four years in office, Covic quit “because of his deep disagreement with his party . . . and inability to influence Milosevic” to concede the loss in Belgrade, the newspapers said.

Tens of thousands of Belgrade demonstrators cheered the report of the mayor’s resignation.

“Milosevic’s Socialists are in a knockdown bout,” opposition leader Vuk Draskovic told the rally. “Even their prominent member Covic had enough honesty and dignity to admit our victory.”