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Ex-Kosovo fighter 'winning poll' Ex-Kosovo fighter claims victory
(about 3 hours later)
Former guerrilla leader Hashim Thaci has claimed victory in Kosovo's parliamentary election, though official results are yet to be confirmed.Former guerrilla leader Hashim Thaci has claimed victory in Kosovo's parliamentary election, though official results are yet to be confirmed.
Mr Thaci said it was "a historic day for Kosovo". He has promised to deliver independence for the Serbian province within weeks.Mr Thaci said it was "a historic day for Kosovo". He has promised to deliver independence for the Serbian province within weeks.
Earlier, independent monitors said that an early tally of votes showed Mr Thaci's Democratic Party leading. Earlier, independent monitors said Mr Thaci's Democratic Party was well ahead, mid-way through the count.
But correspondents say a boycott by Kosovan Serbs may undermine the result.But correspondents say a boycott by Kosovan Serbs may undermine the result.
The Democratic Party is one of several backing independence for the Serbian province.The Democratic Party is one of several backing independence for the Serbian province.
"We will declare independence immediately after 10 December," said Mr Thaci, who is favourite to become prime minister in a coalition government. That is a deadline set by the UN for the conclusion of talks on the future status for the province. Coalition talks loom
The Democratic Party, led by former guerrilla leader Hashim Thaci, had 35% of the vote, with more than a third of ballots counted, independent observers said. "Today Kosovan citizens sent a message to the world, that we are a democratic society, that we are ready to take our country towards the European Union," Mr Thaci told cheering supporters on Saturday night.
The Democratic League of Kosovo, led by President Fatmir Sejdiu, is trailing in second place with 23% of the vote, election monitors said. He has promised to declare independence immediately after 10 December, the deadline set by the UN for the conclusion of talks on the future status for the province.
His Democratic Party had 35% of the vote, with more than half of ballots counted, independent observers said.
That puts Mr Thaci, a former leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army, in pole position to be prime minister, though it is likely he would have to form a coalition government
The Democratic League of Kosovo, led by President Fatmir Sejdiu, was trailing in second place with 22% of the vote, election monitors said.
Official final results, however, may take several days to come through.
According to election officials turnout was around 45%, the lowest since the Nato-led intervention in 1999.According to election officials turnout was around 45%, the lowest since the Nato-led intervention in 1999.
Serb boycottSerb boycott
The electorate was voting in parliamentary, local and mayoral elections in Kosovo, amid continuing uncertainty over the status of the province. The electorate was voting in parliamentary, local and mayoral elections.
Mr Sejdiu's Democratic League of Kosovo was trailing in second place
One hundred of the 120 seats in the provincial assembly were up for direct election, with the rest reserved for Serbs and other minorities.One hundred of the 120 seats in the provincial assembly were up for direct election, with the rest reserved for Serbs and other minorities.
Turnout was low, while many Serbs boycotted the vote
Kosovo is formally part of Serbia but has been run by the UN since 1999.Kosovo is formally part of Serbia but has been run by the UN since 1999.
Ethnic Albanians, backed by the US and others, want independence but Serbia, supported by Russia, is against it.Ethnic Albanians, backed by the US and others, want independence but Serbia, supported by Russia, is against it.
The BBC's Nick Hawton in Pristina, the Kosovan capital, says it appears that a large number of Serbs have boycotted the ballot. The BBC's Nick Hawton in Pristina, the Kosovan capital, says it appears that a large number of Serbs boycotted the ballot.
The Belgrade government had called on Serbs not to vote so as to avoid legitimising a government that may soon decide to break away from Serbia.The Belgrade government had called on Serbs not to vote so as to avoid legitimising a government that may soon decide to break away from Serbia.
Deadline Rade Negojevic, a spokesman for the Serbian national council, claimed that only three Serbs voted in northern Kosovo.
The UN Security Council has not taken a vote on the issue of Kosovo's future because Russia has indicated it would block it. However the Kosovo head of the European security group, the OSCE, Tim Guldimann, said there were "no irregularities" in polling and that the vote could be considered a success.
The UN has administered Kosovo since 1999
Kosovo Albanians have expressed frustration at the slow progress, and have threatened to unilaterally declare independence immediately after the 10 December deadline for negotiations to bear fruit.
The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign forced out Serbian troops in 1999.
Nato maintains troops in the province and boosted their numbers ahead of the vote, amid fears tensions between the communities might spill over.