The United States has accused the Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, of a dangerous provocation by continuing to deploy Serb forces in Kosovo who should have been confined to barracks under last October's agreement.

The State Department spokesman James Rubin criticised what he called the disproportionate and heavy-handed response of the Serb security forces to an upsurge of violence in Kosovo.

He urged Mr Milosevic to ensure that his security forces were acting in compliance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The American spokesman also condemned violence by the Kosovo Liberation Army, and called on both sides to show restraint.