The main ethnic-Albanian leader in the Serbian province of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, is starting his visit to the United States to discuss the conflict in the province.

Mr Rugova is expected to meet President Clinton tomorrow on Friday.

The State Department in Washington says Mr Rugova's talks with US officials are to focus on how the United States can facilitate talks between Albanians and Serbs.

A second round of talks between ethnic Albanians and the Serbian government on Friday has been postponed due to Mr Rugova's visit.

The ethnic Albanian sources say they are planning to resume talks next week but it depends on the situation on the ground, referring to reports of continuing fighting