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Serbs gather for Kosovo protest Thousands in Serb Kosovo protest
(30 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of Serbs are gathering for a rally in Belgrade to protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence over the weekend. Tens of thousands of Serbs have gathered 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. Protesters with flags and banners filled the main parliament square.
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 de facto border with Kosovo, Serb army reservists attacked Kosovan police with stones.But on Serbia's de facto border with Kosovo, Serb army reservists attacked Kosovan police with stones.
Tyres were also set alight and there was thick black smoke billowing from the crossing point at Merdare, 50km (30 miles) north-east of the capital Pristina.Tyres were also set alight and there was thick black smoke billowing from the crossing point at Merdare, 50km (30 miles) north-east of the capital Pristina.
The Serbs waved large tricolour Serbian flags, chanted "Kosovo is Serbia" and tried to cross the border.The Serbs waved large tricolour Serbian flags, chanted "Kosovo is Serbia" and tried to cross the 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.
"We want to tell them that we will not let Kosovo be taken away. We will fight to our last breath.""We want to tell them that we will not let Kosovo be taken away. We will fight to our last breath."
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 BBC's Nick Thorpe at the border says the situation is now calmer and the Serbs have pulled back.The BBC's Nick Thorpe at the border says the situation is now calmer and the Serbs have pulled back.
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.
PrayersPrayers
Most Serbs bitterly oppose losing the province, which they consider their religious and cultural heartland. Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica addressed the crowds from a large stage, draped in two huge Serbian flags, erected outside parliament.
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.
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
Mr Kostunica will address the crowds from a large stage, draped in two huge Serbian flags, erected outside parliament. A banner proclaiming "Kosovo is Serbia" stands at the back of the stage.
A banner proclaiming "Kosovo is Serbia" stands behind the stage. Schools closed for the day and the rail network provided free travel.
The rally 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. The rally is 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.
Most Serbs consider Kosovo their religious and cultural heartland.
Mr Kostunica has described the new country as a "false state", and Russia also opposes independence.
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.Are you in Belgrade? Are you planning to attend the protest? Send us your comments using the form below.
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