Monday marked Kosovo's first full day of independence, despite rioting by Serbs and Russia's disapproval. The EU, US, Australia and other nations declared their support.
Kosovo's parliament unanimously approved yesterday a declaration of independence from Serbia. Several countries are expected to recognise Kosovo later today, while Serbia's prime minister insists that Kosovo remain part of Serbia.
The UN Security Council ended an emergency meeting on Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. Britain's envoy said no member backed Russia's call to declare the move "null and void".
Kosovo's parliament approved the province's independence from Serbia in an extraordinary session on Sunday, thereby ending a long chapter in the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.
Kosovars are already celebrating in the streets of Pristina, but the Serbian minority worries as the declaration of independence looms, expected Sunday afternoon.
Since 1999 and the end of the Belgrade's grip on Kosovo, the number of Serbs living in this Albanian region has fallen. The self-declared independence of Kosovo may only reinforce a sense of exclusion for this minority. (Report: G.Ozan)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci refused to confirm that the breakaway Serbian province would declare independence Sunday, as expected, while tensions continue to rise with Serbia.
