Tadic: Kosovo Serb ballot is not needed

The President has criticised plans by hardline Serbs in Kosovo's tense north to hold a referendum on whether to accept ethnic Albanian rule.

Boris Tadic said yesterday that the referendum – planned for February – would deepen the crisis and "provoke international reaction". He added that "the whole world knows they [the Serbs] don't accept Kosovo rule", and the referendum was not necessary.

Serbia and Kosovo Serbs reject Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence. Serbia insists Kosovo is part of Serbia, although the new country has been recognised by Washington and most EU nations.

Kosovo Serbs have blocked roads to prevent the Pristina government from asserting authority. This has caused incidents with Nato peacekeepers and blocked Serbia's EU bid.

AP