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| Serbs gather for Kosovo protest | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Thousands of Serbs are gathering for a rally in Belgrade to protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence over the weekend. | |
| Schools are closed for the day and the rail network is providing free travel. | Schools are closed for the day and the rail network is providing free travel. |
| Organisers are hoping the rally will be peaceful, following riots in the capital on Sunday and attacks by Kosovo Serbs on two border posts. | Organisers are hoping the rally will be peaceful, following riots in the capital on Sunday and attacks by Kosovo Serbs on two border posts. |
| But on Serbia's border with Kosovo, Serb army reservists attacked Kosovan police with stones and burned tyres. | |
| The Serbs waved large tricolour Serbian flags and chanted "Kosovo is Serbia". | |
| The police were backed by Czech troops from the Nato-led peacekeeping force, who put a steel barrier across the road leading into Kosovo. | |
| There were reports of thick black smoke billowing from the crossing point at Merdare, 50km (30 miles) north-east of the capital Pristina. | |
| Prayers | Prayers |
| Most Serbs bitterly oppose losing the province, which they consider their religious and cultural heartland. | Most Serbs bitterly oppose losing the province, which they consider their religious and cultural heartland. |
| Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica called the new country a "false state", and Russia also opposed the move. | |
| The rally is due to start at 1700 (1600 GMT) in central Belgrade. | The rally is due to start at 1700 (1600 GMT) in central Belgrade. |
| 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 independenceRecognised by US, UK, Germany, Italy and FranceNot recognised by Russia, Spain, Slovakia, CyprusNato to stay to provide security Country profile: Kosovo class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7256549.stm">Tense confusion on border | |
| A large stage has been erected outside parliament for an address by Mr Kostunica. | |
| It will be a chance for Serbs to show how much they oppose the independence of Kosovo, says the BBC's Nick Hawton in the Serbian capital. | |
| After a series of speeches, the crowd will march to the city's biggest church, the Temple of Saint Sava, where prayers for Kosovo will be said by Serbian Orthodox archbishops. | After a series of speeches, the crowd will march to the city's biggest church, the Temple of Saint Sava, where prayers for Kosovo will be said by Serbian Orthodox archbishops. |
| The US, the UK, Germany and Italy have all recognised Kosovo. | The US, the UK, Germany and Italy have all recognised Kosovo. |
| In the coming weeks, an almost 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help the country develop its police force and judiciary. | In the coming weeks, an almost 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help the country develop its police force and judiciary. |
| Are you in Belgrade? Are you planning to attend the protest? Send us your comments using the form below. | |