Serbian Protests Continue Following Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence

Several thousand Serb protesters took to the streets of a heavily divided northern Kosovo town on Saturday, chanting “Kosovo is Serbia” in response to the regions recent decision to declare its independence.

While ethnic Albanians represent nearly 90 percent of Kosovo, the northern town of Kosovska Mitrovica is largely Serb. Since last Sunday’s declaration of independence the minority Serb population has staged daily protests and on Saturday night tensions ran high as U.N police in riot gear were placed in the middle of the action as they tried to prevent clashes between the two sides.

Protests have been a daily occurrence in Serbia as well and recent comments from its prime minister and many of his ministers have suggested that the United States is to blame.

Vojislav Kostunica has suggested that the U.S. recognition of Kosovo’s call for independence has instigated the protests and the violence that has followed. On Thursday the U.S. saw first hand how that violence could erupt as their embassy in Belgrade was attacked and set ablaze by thousands of rioters.

The U.S. embassy has not been the only target of attacks as several embassies of country’s supporting Kosovo as well as U.N. and NATO property have been hit as well. Rioters have also taken to smashing windows and looting shops and restaurants.

For more World related stories please go to:

http://news.finditt.com/NewsList.aspx?cat=11&wcat=1