Bosniak leader Izzetbegovic: only solution to protests is early elections

SARAJEVO

The only way out of the protests rocking Bosnia and Herzegovina is to call for early general elections, according to Bakir Izzetbegovic, the Bosniak member of the three-membered presidency council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Saturday. 

Speaking to a private television station in Bosnia, Izzetbegovic said that the country should go to early general elections to end the ongoing protests which have rocked the country for four days. 

"I dont feel blamed for the recent events," Izzetbegovic said "Bosnia is strong, patriotic forces are strong enough to survive the crisis; thus, if the system collapses a new one will be established." 

Izzetbegovic said that there are provocative groups among the peaceful protesters who carry stones to the city centers to provoke the peaceful mass. 

Bakir Izzetbegovic also suggested that a crisis management center should be established to deal with the ongoing crisis. 

A series of protests began in Tuzla earlier this week by disgruntled public workers, who claim they have been deprived of their social rights and benefits. 

The protests, which spread to other cities, including the capital Sarajevo, and Bihac, Zenica, and Mostar, have been dubbed as the 'Bosnian Spring', by the Bosnian media.

More than 300 hundred people have been wounded in the protests, around 200 protesters detained, and 17 public buildings burned.