Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Mr Vuk Obradovic offered to resign today after being accused of sexual harassment, a source close to the government said.
Mr Obradovic, leader of the Social-democracy party that is part of the ruling DOS reform alliance, has been accused by female party colleagues of sexually harassing them. He has denied the accusations.
Serbia's Beta news agency, citing an unnamed government source, said Mr Obradovic was asked to resign at a government meeting. The source said Mr Obradovic had promised to file his written resignation later in the day, Beta reported.
No official comment was immediately available.
Mr Obradovic, a 54-year-old former Yugoslav army general, has said the accusations are part of campaign to oust him by enemies who fear his drive to stamp out the graft rampant in Serbia under Slobodan Milosevic.
For many Serbs, the fact the allegations against Mr Obradovic were treated seriously and prominently by media and politicians marks a major departure, as sexual harassment has long been considered a taboo in a macho Balkan culture.
Mr Natasa Mitic, a senior official in the Civic Alliance party, said it was a big step forward that the new authorities are even discussing sexual harassment.