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| Version 19 | Version 20 |
|---|---|
| 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 in Belgrade and briefly set part of the embassy alight. Firemen later found an unidentified charred body inside. | Protesters broke into the US compound in Belgrade and briefly set part of the embassy alight. Firemen later found an unidentified charred body inside. |
| Other embassies were also targeted. The United Nations Security Council condemned the violence. | |
| The attacks followed a peaceful rally by at least 150,000 people in the city. | The attacks followed a peaceful rally by at least 150,000 people in the city. |
| Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland. | Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland. |
| Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica delivered an impassioned speech condemning the territory's secession. | |
| [Violence] only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia, President Boris Tadic In pictures: Belgrade rally | [Violence] only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia, President Boris Tadic In pictures: Belgrade rally |
| "As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia. Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people," he told the flag-waving crowd. | |
| Later about 1,000 protesters smashed their way into the US embassy, 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. |
| 'Mob attacks' | 'Mob attacks' |
| 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 main rally outside parliament was peacefulThe body has not been identified, though US officials said all embassy staff of US nationality had been accounted for. | The main rally outside parliament was peacefulThe body has not been identified, though US officials said all embassy staff of US nationality had been accounted for. |
| White House spokesman Dana Perino said the embassy had been "attacked by thugs" and that Serbian police had not done enough to stop them. | |
| State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the US had warned Mr Kostunica and his foreign minister that it would hold them personally responsible for further damage. | |
| Mr McCormack added that the protesters had entered the chancellery but had not breached the embassy's secure area. | |
| Smaller groups later targeted the Croatian, Turkish and British embassies but were beaten back. | |
| In New York, the UN Security Council condemned what it called "mob attacks" on US and other embassies in Belgrade | In New York, the UN Security Council condemned what it called "mob attacks" on US and other embassies in Belgrade |
| In a unanimous statement, the council recalled the inviolability of diplomatic missions under international law, but welcomed steps by Serbian authorities to restore order. | In a unanimous statement, the council recalled the inviolability of diplomatic missions under international law, but welcomed steps by Serbian authorities to restore order. |
| Kosovo 'stolen' | Kosovo 'stolen' |
| Serbian President Boris Tadic appealed for calm. | Serbian President Boris Tadic appealed for calm. |
| "This only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia," he said. | "This only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia," he said. |
| 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. |
| During Thursday's rally, ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic accused the US and EU of trying to steal Kosovo. | During Thursday's rally, ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic accused the US and EU of trying to steal Kosovo. |
| "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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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). | Protest rallies were also held in the Bosnian Serb republic (Republika Srpska). |
| here were unconfirmed reports of injuries as several hundred protesters clashed with police outside the US consulate in Banja Luka. | here 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 Kosovo develop its police force and judiciary. | In the coming weeks, an almost 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help Kosovo develop its police force and judiciary. |