Serbian defence minister fired over sexist remark to TV reporter

Belgrade (dpa) - Serbia Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic must step down following sexist remarks to a television reporter, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Monday."He cannot stay," Vucic said.A day earlier, at a press event in a weapons factory in central Serbia, Gasic saw a female reporter from TV B92 crouching to keep the view clear for cameras waiting for him."I love it when these reporters kneel so easily," he said. Gasic apologized late Sunday with a tweet from the Defence Ministry account: "There is no excuse for today‘s shameful and scandalous act. I apologize to the reporter and the Serbian publi. I honestly regret."The remark provoked a massive outcry against Gasic, who already came under fire over a military helicopter crash that killed seven people earlier this year. Critics accused Gasic of attempting a publicity stunt when he ordered the helicopter crew to undertake an unnecessary rescue mission in severe weather conditions.Vucic backed his minister after the crash but said that "an apology is not enough" for the insult of the reporter. He said he will not tolerate "sexist insults" against women.