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Kosovo gears up for independence Kosovo gears up for independence
(about 4 hours later)
Celebrations have begun in Kosovo's capital Pristina ahead of an expected declaration of independence. Celebrations have begun in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, ahead of an expected declaration of independence.
Tens of thousands of Kosovans have been dancing in the streets, setting off fireworks and waving Albanian flags.Tens of thousands of Kosovans have been dancing in the streets, setting off fireworks and waving Albanian flags.
The festivities follow a statement by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci that Sunday would be a big day for "implementing the will of the citizens of Kosovo".The festivities follow a statement by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci that Sunday would be a big day for "implementing the will of the citizens of Kosovo".
But correspondents say the potential for trouble between Kosovo's Serbs and ethnic Albanians is enormous.But correspondents say the potential for trouble between Kosovo's Serbs and ethnic Albanians is enormous.
Mr Thaci's comments on Saturday were the clearest indication yet that the province would declare independence from Serbia on Sunday.
See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown
Without confirming the move, he said the influence of Belgrade had ended, and nothing Serbia could do would have an impact on developments in Kosovo.
Flashpoint townFlashpoint town
Shortly after the announcement, scores of drivers took to the streets of Pristina, honking their horns. As the expected day for the proclamation of independence drew closer, scores of drivers took to the streets of Pristina on Saturday, honking their horns.
See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown
Strains of Albanian music blared from car stereos as distinctive red and black Albanian flags fluttered in the winter breeze.Strains of Albanian music blared from car stereos as distinctive red and black Albanian flags fluttered in the winter breeze.
KOSOVO BACKGROUND Population: roughly 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 independenceNato troops would stay to provide security Legal furore over recognitionKosovo youths eye futureUK soldiers on standby
Posters have been stuck on the walls of buildings expressing thanks to the US, Britain and the EU for supporting Kosovan independence.Posters have been stuck on the walls of buildings expressing thanks to the US, Britain and the EU for supporting Kosovan independence.
In Belgrade, meanwhile, about 1,000 Serb demonstrators protested against the loss of territory they consider their heartland. 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 independenceNato to stay to provide security class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7244538.stm">Legal furore over recognition class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7247826.stm">Kosovo youths eye future class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7248625.stm">UK soldiers on standby In Belgrade, meanwhile, about 1,000 Serb demonstrators protested against the loss of territory they consider their heartland.
In the flashpoint town of Mitrovica, in northern Kosovo, Nato peacekeeping troops have laid concrete and razor-wire barriers to separate Serbs from Albanians.In the flashpoint town of Mitrovica, in northern Kosovo, Nato peacekeeping troops have laid concrete and razor-wire barriers to separate Serbs from Albanians.
Lieutenant-General Xavier de Marnhac, the French commander of the Nato peacekeepers, said his troops would react swiftly to any provocation from the Albanian or Serbian side of the divided town.Lieutenant-General Xavier de Marnhac, the French commander of the Nato peacekeepers, said his troops would react swiftly to any provocation from the Albanian or Serbian side of the divided town.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Mitrovica says local and UN police, as well as the Nato troops, are maintaining a high profile to reassure all the citizens of Kosovo that they have nothing to fear.The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Mitrovica says local and UN police, as well as the Nato troops, are maintaining a high profile to reassure all the citizens of Kosovo that they have nothing to fear.
Sensitive areasSensitive areas
Earlier, the EU approved sending a police and justice mission to Kosovo. On Saturday, the EU approved sending a police and justice mission to Kosovo.
The 2,000-strong mission, known as Eulex, will begin deploying from next week and is expected to take over from the United Nations by early June.The 2,000-strong mission, known as Eulex, will begin deploying from next week and is expected to take over from the United Nations by early June.
Ethnic Albanians have been making their feelings clear with graffitiEthnic Albanians have been making their feelings clear with graffiti
It is tasked with helping to prevent human rights abuses and ensure that Kosovo's fragile institutions are free from political interference.It is tasked with helping to prevent human rights abuses and ensure that Kosovo's fragile institutions are free from political interference.
It will be able to intervene in sensitive areas such as fighting corruption and organised crime and catching war crime suspects.
While Germany and Italy are the biggest contributors, all EU members except for Malta will take part, as well as non-EU countries like the United States, Turkey and Croatia.
Serbia and Russia fiercely oppose Kosovo's independence and insist the presence of the EU there will be illegal.Serbia and Russia fiercely oppose Kosovo's independence and insist the presence of the EU there will be illegal.
Serbia has threatened to use diplomatic and economic measures against Kosovo, though it has ruled out using force.Serbia has threatened to use diplomatic and economic measures against Kosovo, though it has ruled out using force.
Russia's foreign ministry has indicated that Western recognition of an independent Kosovo could have implications for the Georgian breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.Russia's foreign ministry has indicated that Western recognition of an independent Kosovo could have implications for the Georgian breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Georgia has since made an official complaint, warning Russia about lending support to separatist aspirations.
The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign in 1999 drove out Serb forces.The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign in 1999 drove out Serb forces.
A UN plan for Kosovo drawn up by special envoy Martti Ahtisaari, an experienced Finnish diplomat and politician, would give Kosovo independence - but with limits, and under international supervision.
It would open the way for Kosovo to join the UN and have its own flag and national anthem - but it would prevent Kosovo from amalgamating with Albania, or having its Serb areas split off and be part of Serbia.
Faced with a veto threat from Russia, the UN Security Council has failed to endorse the blueprint.
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