Kosovo's president Hashim Thaci resigned on Thursday after his indictment for war crimes by a tribunal in The Hague was confirmed.

Prosecutors hold Thaci responsible for nearly 100 civilian murders during the 1998 1999 war that led to Kosovo's independence from Serbia.

Yeah Saatchi, who was a senior commander off the Kosovo Liberation Army guerrilla group, has denied any wrongdoing.

Hey explained to reporters at a news conference in Pristina why he felt his resignation was necessary.

Swisscom from Tour A Z I have promised I will not allow under any circumstances that a president of the Republic of Kosovo appears in front of the court.

Therefore, in order to protect the integrity of the presidency of the Republic of Kosovo, integrity of the state of Kosovo, integrity and dignity of Kosovo citizens on respecting the partnership with the international community, I resigned today from the position of President of the Republic of Kosovo for service.

The specialist chamber was set up in The Hague in 2015 to handle cases of alleged crimes by Kayla guerillas during the uprising.

I'm ready to face the new challenge.

Local efforts to investigate alleged war crimes have so far been met with hostility in the tiny state, where clan loyalties run deep and former rebels are now heroes.