The head of the U.N. peacekeeping forces in Bosnia has asked to be relieved of his duties, citing the strains of a mission he recently criticized as too idealistic.
Belgian Lt. Gen. Francis Briquemont, 58, has been in the post since July 12, moving up from commander of Belgian troops. The United Nations rotates its command among the chiefs of its multinational contingents.Briquemont took over from French General Philippe Morillon, who had also criticized international support for U.N. peacekeeping operations.
Belgian Defense Minister Leo Delcroix confirmed the resignation Tuesday and said Briquemont was under no pressure to step down because of his statements last week.
As head of U.N. troops in Bosnia, Briquemont is in charge of some 12,000 troops from a dozen nations.
In an interview last week, Briquemont said the United Nations had itself to blame for its failure to achieve peace in Bosnia.
He faulted the U.N. Security Council for being too lofty in its goals while too sparing in sending more troops.
"There is a fantastic gap between all these Security Council resolutions and the means available to execute them," he said on New Year's Eve.