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Serbia's PM Kostunica stands down Serbia's PM Kostunica stands down
(10 minutes later)
Serbia's Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has announced his resignation and called for new elections.Serbia's Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has announced his resignation and called for new elections.
The decision follows his failure to get his cabinet to reject closer ties with the European Union in the wake of Kosovo's declaration of independence.The decision follows his failure to get his cabinet to reject closer ties with the European Union in the wake of Kosovo's declaration of independence.
Mr Kostunica, a moderate nationalist, has described the decision by EU states to recognise Kosovo as illegal.Mr Kostunica, a moderate nationalist, has described the decision by EU states to recognise Kosovo as illegal.
Serbian President Boris Tadic says Belgrade will only be able to defend its right to Kosovo if it joins the EU.Serbian President Boris Tadic says Belgrade will only be able to defend its right to Kosovo if it joins the EU.
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February.Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February.
The United States and major EU countries have recognised it as independent.The United States and major EU countries have recognised it as independent.
Serbia, backed by its ally, Russia, says it will never accept an independent Kosovo.Serbia, backed by its ally, Russia, says it will never accept an independent Kosovo.
The government in Belgrade has allegedly agreed a secret plan against Kosovo and countries that recognise it.The government in Belgrade has allegedly agreed a secret plan against Kosovo and countries that recognise it.
It is unclear what it contains.It is unclear what it contains.
May polls?
Mr Kostunica has maintained that ties can improve only if the EU rejects Kosovo's declaration of independence.
Belgrade has reacted angrily to an EU mission to ease Kosovo's transition.
A draft resolution from the opposition nationalist Radical Party is being discussed in parliament, condemning the EU's 1,800-strong mission to Kosovo as illegal and calling on countries to overturn their decision to recognise it.
"The government of Serbia has no united policy any more on an important issue related to the future of the country - Kosovo as a part of Serbia," Mr Kostunica told reporters as he announced his move in Belgrade."The government of Serbia has no united policy any more on an important issue related to the future of the country - Kosovo as a part of Serbia," Mr Kostunica told reporters as he announced his move in Belgrade.
"Such a government could not function any more," he said."Such a government could not function any more," he said.
Mr Kostunica said "we should return the mandate to the people" - and added that he would call for early elections to be held on 11 May - the date for Serbia's local elections.Mr Kostunica said "we should return the mandate to the people" - and added that he would call for early elections to be held on 11 May - the date for Serbia's local elections.
No party has a majority in the Serbian parliament and correspondents say it is highly likely a new poll will be called.