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Thousands in Serb Kosovo protest Thousands in Serb Kosovo protest
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of Serbs have gathered for a rally in Belgrade to protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence over the weekend. At least 150,000 Serbs are rallying in central Belgrade to protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence over the weekend.
Protesters with flags and banners filled the main parliament square.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. PM Vojislav Kostunica told the crowds that Kosovo would belong to the Serbian people "as long as we live".
But on Serbia's de facto border with Kosovo, Serb army reservists attacked Kosovan police with stones. Meanwhile on Serbia's de facto border with Kosovo, Serb army reservists attacked Kosovan police with stones and burned tyres.
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. 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 Serbs have now 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.
PrayersPrayers
Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica addressed the crowds from a large stage, draped in two huge Serbian flags, erected outside parliament. Prime Minister Vojislav 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.
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
A banner proclaiming "Kosovo is Serbia" stands at the back of the stage. "As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia," he said to cheers and applause. "Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people."
Schools closed for the day and the rail network provided free travel. "We'll never give up Kosovo, never!" the crowd responded.
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. "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.
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. 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]."
Other speakers included Australian Open tennis champion Novak Djokovic, who addressed the crowd by video link.
After the 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.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.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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