The Croatian justice minister, Milan Ramljak, has said he is stepping down from public office.

Mr Ramljak said he offered his resignation in a letter to President Tudjman at the beginning of March, but there had been no official response and he was now making his decision public.

Mr Ramljak, who also resigned as deputy prime minister, said his move was linked to changes in the organisation of the Croat government.

He offered no further explanation.