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Storm over Serbia embassy attacks Serbia embassy attacks condemned
(about 4 hours later)
Attacks by Serbian protesters against embassies in Belgrade have drawn strong criticism from the US and the UN. The UN Security Council has condemned "in the strongest terms" attacks by protesters against embassies in the Serbian capital, Belgrade.
In the worst incident, Serbs angered by Western support for Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence set fire to parts of the US embassy. Serbs angered by Western support for Kosovo's declaration of independence set fire to parts of the US embassy.
An unidentified charred body was found inside. The US denounced the "thugs" who carried out the attack, which the UN condemned "in the strongest terms". An unidentified charred body was found inside. The US has denounced the "thugs" who carried out the attack.
The violence followed a peaceful rally against Kosovo's secession. The embassies of the UK, Germany and Turkey and businesses with Western links were also targeted by protesters.
Most Serbs regard the former Serb province as their religious and cultural heartland. The violence followed a rally against Kosovo's secession.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica delivered an impassioned speech. We received assurances from Prime Minister Kostunica that there would not be a repeat of this episode and we will hold him to that US state department spokesman class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7257318.stm">In pictures: Belgrade rally
[Violence] only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia, President Boris Tadic class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7257318.stm">In pictures: Belgrade rally Most Serbs regard Kosovo as their religious and cultural heartland.
"As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia. Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people," he told the flag-waving crowd. "As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia," Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica told the rally.
Later, about 1,000 protesters smashed their way into the US embassy, throwing flares through a window while others scaled walls to rip down the US flag. Afterwards, about 1,000 protesters smashed their way into the US embassy, throwing flares through a 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 to disperse the crowd.
'Mob attacks' The fires raged for half an hour, and when firemen finally managed to get inside the building they found the body, which has not been identified.
The fires raged for half an hour, and when firemen finally managed to get inside the building they found the body. US officials said all embassy staff of US nationality had been accounted for, and reports suggest the body may be that of one of the intruders.
The main rally outside parliament was peaceful Formal protest
It has not been identified, although US officials said all embassy staff of US nationality had been accounted for. In New York, the 15-member UN Security Council issued a unanimous statement: "The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms the mob attacks against embassies in Belgrade, which have resulted in damage to embassy premises and have endangered diplomatic personnel."
White House spokesman Dana Perino said the embassy had been "attacked by thugs" and that Serbian police had not done enough to stop them. It went on to welcome steps by the Serbian authorities to restore order.
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. White House spokesman Dana Perino employed less diplomatic language.
Mr McCormack added that the protesters had entered the chancellery but had not breached the embassy's secure area. "Our embassy was attacked by thugs," she told reporters on US presidential plane Air Force One as President George W Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice returned from a trip to Africa.
Smaller groups later targeted the Croatian, Turkish and British embassies but were beaten back. She added: "We have made known to the Serbian government our concern and displeasure that their police force did not prevent this incident."
In New York, the UN Security Council condemned what it called "mob attacks" on US and other embassies in Belgrade. US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said a formal protest had been lodged with Serbia.
In a unanimous statement, the council recalled the inviolability of diplomatic missions under international law, but welcomed steps by Serbian authorities to restore order. "The message was very clear - that the situation was intolerable, they needed to act immediately to provide the adequate security forces so that our embassy compound and our personnel were not under attack," he told reporters.
Kosovo 'stolen' Mr McCormack said the US had warned Mr Kostunica and his foreign minister that it would hold them personally responsible for further damage.
Serbian President Boris Tadic appealed for calm.
"This only keeps Kosovo distant from Serbia," he said.
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.
"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.
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 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
"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. He said he was concerned about reports that Serbian government officials had helped stir the attack.
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. "We have seen a lot of disturbing reports about statements by Serbian government officials, even including a minister, about incitement to violence. This has to cease."
Protest rallies were also held in the Bosnian Serb republic (Republika Srpska). He added: "We received assurances from Prime Minister Kostunica that there would not be a repeat of this episode and we will hold him to that."
There were unconfirmed reports of injuries as several hundred protesters clashed with police outside the US consulate in Banja Luka. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said damage to the British embassy building was "limited", and embassy staff were safe.
In the coming weeks, an almost 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help Kosovo develop its police force and judiciary. "While the Kosovo issue raises strong feelings in Serbia, no cause can justify such displays of violence," he said.
"We have made clear to the Serbian government that we expect them to fully uphold their obligations to protect our embassy and other diplomatic premises in Belgrade."
European Union spokeswoman Cristina Gallach said the violence was "totally unacceptable".
She urged all involved to show "restraint and responsibility".
'Unacceptable'
Serbia said it regretted what it called acts of isolated vandals who did not represent the nation.
"The acts that were committed are absolutely unacceptable, absolutely regrettable," Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told Reuters news agency.
"They hurt Serbia's image abroad."
Serbia, supported by Russia and China, says Kosovo's independence declaration on Sunday violates international law.
Mr Kostunica has recalled Serbia's ambassador to the US.
In the coming weeks, a 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help Kosovo develop its police force and judiciary.
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