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US embassy in Belgrade attacked US embassy in Belgrade attacked
(about 2 hours later)
Several hundred protesters have attacked and broken into the US embassy in the Serbian capital Belgrade, setting fire to part of it. Several hundred protesters have attacked the US and other embassies in Serbia's capital in anger at Western support for Kosovo's independence.
The embassy was closed and unprotected at the time. Reports say the Croatian and UK embassies were also attacked. Protesters broke into the US compound and briefly set part of the embassy alight. The UK, Belgian, Croatian and Turkish missions were also attacked.
The violence follows a peaceful protest by at least 150,000 people outside the main parliament building against Kosovo's declaration of independence. The violence followed a peaceful rally earlier by at least 150,000 people outside the main parliament building.
The US, the UK, Germany and Italy are among those to have recognised Kosovo. The US, UK, Germany and Italy are among those to have recognised Kosovo.
The attacks overshadowed the earlier peaceful demonstration, when Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica addressed protesters in the main square, saying Kosovo would always be Serbian. As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia - Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people Vojislav Kostunica class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7257318.stm">In pictures: Belgrade rally
Most Serbs consider Kosovo their religious and cultural heartland. The BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade says smoke and tear gas are drifting across the main square, where Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica earlier delivered an impassioned speech condemning the territory's secession.
Prayers Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland.
US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said a number of Serbians had penetrated the embassy compound, and urged the authorities there to take control of the situation. Mr Kostunica told the flag-waving crowd that Serbia was the only country being put under pressure by Western powers to give up its identity.
There is a great feeling of sadness, not anger - we want it to be a peaceful protest, we want to show the world that Kosovo belongs to Serbia Jelena Subin class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7257318.stm">In pictures: Belgrade rally Ripped flag
A blaze broke out in several rooms inside the compound. The United States said it was outraged by the attack, with its ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, saying he would call on the UN to also condemn the violence.
He said he wanted to remind "the Serb government of its responsibility to protect diplomatic facilities".
The main rally outside parliament was peacefulAbout 1,000 protesters attacked the building; some got inside and briefly set fire to some of the rooms inside. At the time there appeared to be no police protecting the embassy.
One protester climbed onto the first floor and ripped the US flag from its pole. Riot police backed by armoured cars fired tear gas at the protesters.One protester climbed onto the first floor and ripped the US flag from its pole. Riot police backed by armoured cars fired tear gas at the protesters.
Correspondents in Belgrade say the atmosphere on the streets remains volatile. Several other embassies were also attacked by angry crowds. There are reports of various businesses and restaurants being attacked and flames billowing from some of the premises.
Earlier, protester Jelena Subin told the BBC it felt as if there were a million people at the Belgrade rally. Correspondents say ambulances have been travelling across Belgrade and there are reports of up to 100 people having been injured.
"There is a great feeling of sadness, not anger. We want it to be a peaceful protest. We want to show the world that Kosovo belongs to Serbia," she said. Serbia, supported by Russia and China, says Kosovo's Sunday declaration violates international law.
The main rally outside parliament was peacefulMr Kostunica addressed the crowds from a large stage, draped in two huge Serbian flags and with a banner reading "Kosovo is Serbia" at the back. Mr Kostunica addressed the crowds from a large stage, saying: "As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia. Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people."
"As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia," he said to cheers and applause. "Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people."
"We'll never give up Kosovo, never!" the crowd responded."We'll never give up Kosovo, never!" the crowd responded.
"Is there any other nation on Earth from whom [the great powers] are demanding that they give up their identity, to give up our brothers in Kosovo?" he added."Is there any other nation on Earth from whom [the great powers] are demanding that they give up their identity, to give up our brothers in Kosovo?" he added.
Ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic accused the US and EU of trying to steal Kosovo.Ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic accused the US and EU of trying to steal Kosovo.
"We will not rest until Kosovo is again under Serbia's control," he said."We will not rest until Kosovo is again under Serbia's control," he said.
"Hitler could not take it away from us, and neither will today's [Western powers].""Hitler could not take it away from us, and neither will today's [Western powers]."
Other speakers included Australian Open tennis champion Novak Djokovic, who addressed the crowd by video link.
After the speeches, the crowd marched to the city's biggest church, the Temple of Saint Sava.After the speeches, the crowd marched to the city's biggest church, the Temple of Saint Sava.
Border protestBorder protest
There was thick, black smoke billowing from the crossing point at Merdare, 50km (30 miles) north-east of Kosovo's capital Pristina. Thick, black smoke had also earlier billowed from the crossing point at Merdare, 50km (30 miles) north-east of Kosovo's capital Pristina.
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: KosovoTense confusion on borderKOSOVO 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: KosovoTense confusion on border
Serbs waved large tricolour Serbian flags, chanted "Kosovo is Serbia" and tried to cross the border. Serbs there waved large tricolour Serbian flags, chanted "Kosovo is Serbia" and tried to cross the de facto border.
"We are here in support of the Serbs who still live in Kosovo," Dejan Milosevic, one of the organisers, told the Associated Press news agency."We are here in support of the Serbs who still live in Kosovo," Dejan Milosevic, one of the organisers, told the Associated Press news agency.
The Kosovo police, backed by Czech troops from the Nato-led peacekeeping force, put a steel barrier across the road and were able to hold their line.The Kosovo police, backed by Czech troops from the Nato-led peacekeeping force, put a steel barrier across the road and were able to hold their line.
The Serbs have now pulled back and ended their protest. The Serbs later pulled back and ended their protest.
Protest rallies were also held in the Bosnian Serb republic (Republika Srpska). There were unconfirmed reports of injuries as several hundred protesters clashed with police outside the US consulate in Banja Luka.Protest rallies were also held in the Bosnian Serb republic (Republika Srpska). There were unconfirmed reports of injuries as several hundred protesters clashed with police outside the US consulate in Banja Luka.
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.Are you in Belgrade? Are you planning to attend the protest? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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