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Kosovo on brink of independence Kosovo MPs proclaim independence
(40 minutes later)
Kosovo's parliament has begun an emergency session called to approve formal independence from Serbia. Kosovo's parliament has overwhelmingly endorsed a declaration of independence from Serbia in an historic session.
The MPs are also due to approve Kosovo's new state symbols. "We have to take decisions on the future of our nation," PM Hashim Thaci said. The declaration, read by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, said Kosovo would be a democratic country that respected the rights of all ethnic communities.
US and a number of EU countries are expected to recognise Kosovo on Monday. The US and a number of EU countries are expected to recognise Kosovo on Monday.
Serbia has threatened Kosovo with diplomatic and economic sanctions, but not force. Its ally, Russia, also opposes Kosovan independence.Serbia has threatened Kosovo with diplomatic and economic sanctions, but not force. Its ally, Russia, also opposes Kosovan independence.
See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown
Correspondents say the potential for trouble between Kosovo's Serbs and ethnic Albanians is enormous.Correspondents say the potential for trouble between Kosovo's Serbs and ethnic Albanians is enormous.
Serbia's Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica is to make a televised address at 1500 GMT.Serbia's Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica is to make a televised address at 1500 GMT.
A number of his ministers have travelled to Kosovo to show their support for Serbs living there.A number of his ministers have travelled to Kosovo to show their support for Serbs living there.
Flashpoint town Search for equality
"We are on the brink of a very crucial moment - an important decision that will make us one of the free nations of the world," Mr Thaci said earlier. "We have waited for this day for a very long time," Mr Thaci told parliament before reading the declaration, paying tribute to those who had died on the road to independence.
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 In pictures: CelebrationsKosovo youths eye futureSerb and Albanian viewsKOSOVO 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 In pictures: CelebrationsKosovo youths eye futureSerb and Albanian views
After the endorsement of the declaration, top Kosovo leaders are due to go to a sports hall later where the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra is expected to play Beethoven's Ode to Joy. "The independence of Kosovo marks the end of the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia," the prime minister said.
"We are becoming an equal part of the democratic world," he said.
Mr Thaci promised to improve the life of minority ethnic communities.
There should be no fear of discrimination in Kosovo, he said, vowing to eradicate any such practices - and conveying a similar message in Serbian.
Kosovo's top leaders are due to go to a sports hall later where the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra is expected to play Beethoven's Ode to Joy.
They are also due to sign their names on giant iron letters spelling out the word "newborn" which was to be displayed in Pristina.They are also due to sign their names on giant iron letters spelling out the word "newborn" which was to be displayed in Pristina.
Fireworks and street celebrations will follow. Thousands of people have poured onto the streets.Fireworks and street celebrations will follow. Thousands of people have poured onto the streets.
UK soldiers on standbyLegal furore over recognitionAnalysis: Anxious BalkansUK soldiers on standbyLegal furore over recognitionAnalysis: Anxious Balkans
Some ethnic Albanians, who make up the majority of Kosovo's population, earlier laid flowers on the graves of family members killed by Serbian security forces during years of conflict and division.Some ethnic Albanians, who make up the majority of Kosovo's population, earlier laid flowers on the graves of family members killed by Serbian security forces during years of conflict and division.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in the flashpoint town of 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 the flashpoint town of 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.
LimitationsLimitations
The declaration being approved by Kosovo's parliament contains limitations on Kosovan independence as outlined in the UN plan drawn up by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. The declaration approved by Kosovo's parliament contains limitations on Kosovan independence as outlined in the UN plan drawn up by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.
Kosovo, or part of it, cannot join any other country. It will be supervised by an international presence. Its armed forces will be limited and it will make strong provisions for Serb minority protection.Kosovo, or part of it, cannot join any other country. It will be supervised by an international presence. Its armed forces will be limited and it will make strong provisions for Serb minority protection.
HAVE YOUR SAYUnfortunately today Kosovo and Serbia are to become two dispensable chess-pieces of EU/NATO and RussiaMat, Ljubljana, SloveniaSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYUnfortunately today Kosovo and Serbia are to become two dispensable chess-pieces of EU/NATO and RussiaMat, Ljubljana, SloveniaSend us your comments
Recognition by a number of EU states, including the UK and other major countries, will come on Monday after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, says the BBC's Paul Reynolds.Recognition by a number of EU states, including the UK and other major countries, will come on Monday after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, says the BBC's Paul Reynolds.
The US is also expected to announce its recognition on Monday.The US is also expected to announce its recognition on Monday.
Three EU states - Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia - have told other EU governments that they will not recognise Kosovo, says our correspondent.Three EU states - Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia - have told other EU governments that they will not recognise Kosovo, says our correspondent.
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.
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.
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