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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| US to evacuate staff from Serbia | US to evacuate staff from Serbia |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The US embassy in Serbia has ordered the temporary evacuation of non-essential staff after protesters attacked the building in Belgrade. | The US embassy in Serbia has ordered the temporary evacuation of non-essential staff after protesters attacked the building in Belgrade. |
| About 1,000 protesters set fire to the embassy on Thursday in anger at Kosovo's declaration of independence, which the US and others recognised. | About 1,000 protesters set fire to the embassy on Thursday in anger at Kosovo's declaration of independence, which the US and others recognised. |
| The UK, German, Croatian, Belgian and Turkish embassies were also attacked. | The UK, German, Croatian, Belgian and Turkish embassies were also attacked. |
| Both the Serbian president and PM have condemned the violence, which left one dead and more than 100 injured. | Both the Serbian president and PM have condemned the violence, which left one dead and more than 100 injured. |
| US embassy spokeswoman Rian Harris told AFP news agency: "Dependents are being temporarily ordered to depart Belgrade. We do not have confidence that Serbian authorities can provide security for our staff members." | US embassy spokeswoman Rian Harris told AFP news agency: "Dependents are being temporarily ordered to depart Belgrade. We do not have confidence that Serbian authorities can provide security for our staff members." |
| What we saw were terrible things - it was a reaction against a democratic world Hashim Thaci, Kosovo PM Serb fury eruptsIn pictures: Belgrade rally class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7258842.stm">Serbia at crossroads | |
| Another spokesperson told Reuters news agency the ambassador, Cameron Munter, and core staff would remain. | Another spokesperson told Reuters news agency the ambassador, Cameron Munter, and core staff would remain. |
| The evacuation will be reassessed in seven to 10 days. Ms Harris said the embassy would reopen on Tuesday after repairs. | The evacuation will be reassessed in seven to 10 days. Ms Harris said the embassy would reopen on Tuesday after repairs. |
| The US earlier lodged an official protest over the attack. | The US earlier lodged an official protest over the attack. |
| Fears remain of further violence in the wake of the declaration of secession from Serbia by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders last Sunday. | Fears remain of further violence in the wake of the declaration of secession from Serbia by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders last Sunday. |
| Hundreds of Serbs protested on Friday in the ethnically-divided Kosovo town of Mitrovica, but apart from some scuffles and stone-throwing the rally passed off largely peacefully. | Hundreds of Serbs protested on Friday in the ethnically-divided Kosovo town of Mitrovica, but apart from some scuffles and stone-throwing the rally passed off largely peacefully. |
| The European Union called on Serbia to protect embassies in Belgrade. | The European Union called on Serbia to protect embassies in Belgrade. |
| The UN Security Council condemned the attacks and the US described those responsible as "thugs". | The UN Security Council condemned the attacks and the US described those responsible as "thugs". |
| Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said on Friday the embassy attacks reminded him of the era of former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. | Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said on Friday the embassy attacks reminded him of the era of former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. |
| Mr Thaci said: "What we saw were terrible things. It was a reaction against a democratic world." | Mr Thaci said: "What we saw were terrible things. It was a reaction against a democratic world." |
| About 1,000 protesters smashed their way into the US embassy, throwing flares through a window. | About 1,000 protesters smashed their way into the US embassy, throwing flares through a window. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYI think the people of Kosovo made the wrong choice. They become one of the smallest and poorest countries in EuropePaolo, ItalySend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYI think the people of Kosovo made the wrong choice. They become one of the smallest and poorest countries in EuropePaolo, ItalySend us your comments |
| There were no police protecting the embassy, but riot police later intervened, firing tear gas to disperse the crowd. | There were no police protecting the embassy, but riot police later intervened, firing tear gas to disperse the crowd. |
| Fires raged for half an hour, and when firemen finally managed to get inside the building they found a charred body, which has not been identified. Reports suggest the body may be that of one of the intruders. | Fires raged for half an hour, and when firemen finally managed to get inside the building they found a charred body, which has not been identified. Reports suggest the body may be that of one of the intruders. |
| 'No excuse' | 'No excuse' |
| Serbian President Boris Tadic called an emergency meeting of Serbia's National Security Council on Friday. | Serbian President Boris Tadic called an emergency meeting of Serbia's National Security Council on Friday. |
| KOSOVO PROFILE Population about two millionMajority ethnic Albanian; 10% SerbUnder UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 19992,000-strong EU staff to take over from UN after independenceRecognised by US, UK, Germany, Italy and FranceNot recognised by Russia, Spain, Slovakia, CyprusNato to stay to provide security href="/1/hi/world/europe/7259496.stm">US views from Belgrade class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/3524092.stm">Profile: Kosovo class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7258801.stm">Russia force warning | |
| He said: "I most sharply condemn the violence, looting and arson. There is no excuse for the violence." | He said: "I most sharply condemn the violence, looting and arson. There is no excuse for the violence." |
| Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica had earlier also condemned the attack. | Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica had earlier also condemned the attack. |
| Russia, Serbia's key ally, said it also regretted the actions. | Russia, Serbia's key ally, said it also regretted the actions. |
| But foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin added: "Those forces that supported Kosovo's proclamation of independence should have been aware of the consequences of such a step." | But foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin added: "Those forces that supported Kosovo's proclamation of independence should have been aware of the consequences of such a step." |
| US assistant secretary of state for political affairs, Nicholas Burns, criticised Moscow's role: "They're not in Kosovo, they're not doing anything to help the Kosovars. So they're kind of on the sidelines contributing mostly unhelpfully." | US assistant secretary of state for political affairs, Nicholas Burns, criticised Moscow's role: "They're not in Kosovo, they're not doing anything to help the Kosovars. So they're kind of on the sidelines contributing mostly unhelpfully." |
| EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said continued violence would harm efforts to improve ties. | EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said continued violence would harm efforts to improve ties. |
| He said "things will have to calm down" before the EU continued talks on a preliminary deal on EU-Serbia links. | He said "things will have to calm down" before the EU continued talks on a preliminary deal on EU-Serbia links. |
| A protest in Mitrovica on Friday passed off largely peacefully | A protest in Mitrovica on Friday passed off largely peacefully |
| Kosovo's declaration of independence has split the international community, with many Western nations recognising the move, while China and Russia were among those opposed. | Kosovo's declaration of independence has split the international community, with many Western nations recognising the move, while China and Russia were among those opposed. |
| Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland and believe the independence declaration violates international law. | Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland and believe the independence declaration violates international law. |
| Mr Kostunica has recalled Serbia's ambassador to the US over the affair. | Mr Kostunica has recalled Serbia's ambassador to the US over the affair. |
| In the coming weeks, a 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help Kosovo develop its police force and judiciary. | In the coming weeks, a 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help Kosovo develop its police force and judiciary. |
| Do you live in Belgrade or Mitrovica? Did you witness the protests or the violence at the embassies in Belgrade? Are you an American living in the Serbian capital? Tell us what is happening where you are by filling in the form below. | Do you live in Belgrade or Mitrovica? Did you witness the protests or the violence at the embassies in Belgrade? Are you an American living in the Serbian capital? Tell us what is happening where you are by filling in the form below. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |