World News Story

23 November 2008 10:37 BST

Serbia calls on UN to stand against Kosovan independence

Serbian president Boris Tadic has urged the United Nations to oppose its province Kosovo's bid for independence.

A declaration of independence is expected to be passed over the weekend, possibly on Sunday, although an official date is yet to be named by prime minister Hashim Thaci.

The move has been backed by a number of Western nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom and several other European Union states.

However among the nations deeply opposed to the independence bid are Russia, as well as Serbia, and the threat of economic sanctions and diplomatic pressures from both nations is causing tension in the region.

Relations between the West and Russia are already at a low and a further reason for a stand-off would not be welcomed by the EU and the UN.

But in Kosovo's capital Pristina, Mr Thaci said he was keen to break away in order to secure the human rights of its population, including Kosovan Serbs, following years of unrest.

"In Kosovo, there will be security for all citizens," he told reporters.

"The government is committed to looking forward to the future and overcoming the sad past.

"I invite all those who want to, to return to their homes and their property, including displaced Serbs living outside Kosovo."

The UN is currently in control of Kosovo after Serbian forces were disbanded from the province nine years ago after accusations of ethnic discrimination and persecution.