Serbs are converging on Kosovo's divided city of Mitrovica to inaugurate a new assembly set up by Kosovo Serbs.
Serbs in Kosovo are holding the inaugural session of an assembly set up in defiance of the majority ethnic Albanian government and the UN.
The 53-seat assembly has been organised in defiance of Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanian government and the UN.
The meeting is being held in the ethnically divided city of Mitrovica.
Members were elected last month during Serbia's general and municipal elections - a ballot which the UN and Kosovo's government said was illegal.
Fifty three members were elected in May during Serbia's general and municipal elections - a ballot which the UN and Kosovo's government said was illegal.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanians declared independence from Serbia in February, despite Serb and Russian opposition.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanians declared independence from Serbia in February, despite Serb and Russian opposition.
Kosovo has been recognised by 43 states, including the United States and most European Union nations - but Serbia and Russia say the move was illegal under international law.
Kosovo has been recognised by 43 states, including the United States and most European Union nations - but Belgrade and Moscow say the move was illegal under international law.
'Virtual reality'
'Virtual reality'
The assembly has been formed by hardline Serb politicians in Kosovo and was set up to help "co-ordination" with the Serb authorities in Belgrade, officials said.
People from across Serbia converged on Mitrovica to show their support for the new assembly of Kosovo's Serbs.
Kosovo's new constitution grants broad autonomy to the Serb minority
The opening session is taking place on St Vitus day, when Serbs remember their defeat by invading Ottoman forces in 1389 - an event that lies at the core of the Serb claim to Kosovo.
The assembly has been formed by hardline Serb politicians in Kosovo and is being set up to help "co-ordination" with the Serb authorities in Belgrade, officials say.
Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu has described it as "an attempt to destabilise Kosovo".
Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu has described it as "an attempt to destabilise Kosovo".
The events of St Vitus day still lie at the core of their national identityA United Nations spokesman called the assembly a "virtual reality".
A UN spokesman called the assembly a "virtual reality".
The BBC's Helen Fawkes in Mitrovica says that although it will have no real powers, the assembly is a challenge to the authority of the majority ethnic Albanian government.
The BBC's Helen Fawkes in Mitrovica says that although it will have no real powers, the assembly is a challenge to the authority of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian government.
It will strengthen the parallel Serb institutions, she says.
It will strengthen the parallel Serb institutions, she says.
The opening session is taking place on St Vitus day, when Serbs remember their defeat by invading Ottoman forces in 1389 - an event that lies at the core of the Serb claim to Kosovo.
Security has been stepped up in Mitrovica - a flashpoint for recent violence. Earlier this month a gunman attacked a police station. In March, a riot left one UN policeman dead.
Security has been stepped up in Mitrovica - a flashpoint for recent violence. Earlier this month a gunman attacked a police station. In March, a riot left one UN policeman dead.
Some 90% of Kosovo's two million population are Albanians. Northern Kosovo is dominated by about 50,000 Serbs.
Some 90% of Kosovo's two million population are Albanians. Northern Kosovo is dominated by about 50,000 Serbs.
From 1999 to 2008 the province was administered by the UN, after enduring a conflict fuelled by ethnic division and repression.
From 1999 to 2008 the province was administered by the UN, after enduring a conflict fuelled by ethnic division and repression.
The country's constitution came into force on 15 June, granting broad autonomy to Kosovo's Serb minority.
The country's constitution came into force on 15 June, granting broad autonomy to Kosovo's Serb minority.
However, reconciliation between the majority ethnic Albanians, most of whom support independence, and the Serbs remains elusive.
However, reconciliation between ethnic Albanians, most of whom support independence, and Serbs remains elusive.
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Are you in Mitrovica? How will the new assembly affect you? Please send your comments using the form below:
Are you in Mitrovica? How will the new assembly affect you? Please send your comments using the form below:
