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US embassy in Belgrade attacked US embassy in Belgrade attacked
(about 1 hour later)
Several hundred protesters have attacked the US and other embassies in Serbia's capital in anger at Western support for Kosovo's independence.Several hundred protesters have attacked the US and other embassies in Serbia's capital in anger at Western support for Kosovo's independence.
Protesters broke into the US compound and briefly set part of the embassy alight. Firemen later found an unidentified charred body inside.Protesters broke into the US compound and briefly set part of the embassy alight. Firemen later found an unidentified charred body inside.
The UK, Belgian, Croatian and Turkish missions were also attacked.The UK, Belgian, Croatian and Turkish missions were also attacked.
The violence followed a peaceful rally earlier by at least 150,000 people outside the main parliament building.The violence followed a peaceful rally earlier by at least 150,000 people outside the main parliament building.
The US, UK, Germany and Italy are among those to have recognised Kosovo.The US, UK, Germany and Italy are among those to have recognised Kosovo.
As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia - Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people Vojislav Kostunica In pictures: Belgrade rally Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people Vojislav Kostunica In pictures: Belgrade rally
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. Earlier, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica delivered an impassioned speech condemning the territory's secession.
"As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia. Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people," he told the flag-waving crowd.
Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland.Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland.
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.
Ripped flagRipped flag
The United States expressed outrage at the attack. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, said he would call on the UN to also condemn the violence. The United States expressed outrage at the attack.
He said he wanted to remind "the Serb government of its responsibility to protect diplomatic facilities". The US ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, said the Serbian government should be reminded "of its responsibility to protect diplomatic facilities".
The main rally outside parliament was peacefulSerbian President Boris Tadic appealed for calm.The main rally outside parliament was peacefulSerbian President Boris Tadic appealed for calm.
"This only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia," he said."This only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia," he said.
About 1,000 protesters attacked the building, throwing flares through the window while others scaled walls to rip down the US flag.About 1,000 protesters attacked the building, throwing flares through the window while others scaled walls to rip down the US flag.
At the time there appeared to be no police protecting the embassy, but riot police later intervened firing tear gas. At the time there appeared to be no police protecting the embassy, but riot police later intervened, firing tear gas.
The fires raged for half an hour, and when firemen finally managed to get inside the building they found a charred body.The fires raged for half an hour, and when firemen finally managed to get inside the building they found a charred body.
The body has not been identified, though US officials said all embassy staff had been accounted for. The body has not been identified, though US officials said all embassy staff of US nationality had been accounted for.
Several other embassies were also attacked by crowds. There are reports of various businesses and restaurants being attacked and flames billowing from some of the premises. State department spokesman Sean McCormack said the protesters had entered the chancellery but did not breach the embassy's secure area, and the entire compound had now been cleared.
Correspondents say ambulances have been travelling across Belgrade and there are reports of up to 100 people having been injured. Washington received assurances from Mr Kostunica that there would be no repeat of the incident, he added.
Kosovo 'stolen'
Several other embassies were also attacked by crowds. There are reports of various businesses and restaurants being attacked.
Up to 100 people are believed to have been injured.
Serbia, supported by Russia and China, says Kosovo's Sunday declaration violates international law.Serbia, supported by Russia and China, says Kosovo's Sunday declaration violates international law.
Mr Kostunica addressed the crowds from a large stage, saying: "As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia. Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people." During Thursday's rally, ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic accused the US and EU of trying to steal Kosovo.
"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.
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.
"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]."
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 protest Thick, black smoke had also earlier billowed from the crossing point at 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/3524092.stm">Country profile: Kosovo class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7256549.stm">Tense confusion on border
Thick, black smoke had also earlier billowed from the crossing point at Merdare, 50km (30 miles) north-east of Kosovo's capital Pristina, as Serb army reservists tried to enter Kosovo. Merdare, 50km (30 miles) north-east of Kosovo's capital Pristina, as Serb army reservists tried to enter Kosovo.
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 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.
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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