Serbia withdraws ambassador as US recognises Kosovo

Serbia has reacted angrily to Kosovo's declaration of independence

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Tuesday, 19, Feb 2008 02:18

Serbia has withdrawn its ambassador in Washington after the US announced it officially recognised Kosovo independence.

Vojislav Kostunica, Serbia's prime minister, said in a statement to parliament: "The government of Serbia ordered that the ambassador of Serbia in Washington urgently withdraw to Belgrade.

"This is the first urgent measure of the government which will be implemented in all countries that recognise unilateral independence of Kosovo."

Earlier the US announced it recognised the state of Kosovo, claiming the country was a special case.

"The US has formally recognised Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state. We congratulate the people of Kosovo on this historic occasion," secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said yesterday.

"In the light of the conflicts of the 1990s, independence is the only viable option to promote stability on the region," she added.

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov criticised Kosovo's action and released a statement, after a phone conversation with Ms Rice, declaring Moscow's position.

"We confirmed our principled position on the unacceptability of unilateral actions by Pristina declaring its independence," the statement said.

"We underlined the dangerous consequences of such a step, which threatens the destruction of world order and international stability which have developed over decades."

The UN security council remains divided over Kosovan independence, having failed to agree on any action.

Russia and China support Serbia in claiming the declaration violates international law, while Britain, France, Germany and Italy all formally recognise the new state.

Nato peacekeepers have been sent to help police at the Jarinje and Banja border crossing at the Serbian-dominated north of Kosovo, after border posts were burnt down.