The ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army, has said it intends to establish its own civilian authority in those parts of the Serbian province under its control.

Correspondants say the move signals defiance towards not only the Serbs, but also the Kosovo Albanian political leader, Ibrahim Rugova, and international officials who are trying to broker a joint political solution for the province.

The statement by the KLA comes as British officials are expressing concern at the increased activity by KLA guerrillas; they say the ceasefire must be observed by both sides.

The British officials also say they are disappointed at the time it is taking to deploy international monitors in Kosovo to verify the ceasefire and the withdrawal of Belgrade's security forces.