NATO's supreme commander in Europe, General Wesley Clark, has accused Serbia of violating its commitments in Kosovo.

General Clark said in a newspaper interview that Belgrade had deployed more troops in the province and left heavy weaponry in the hands of Serb policemen despite the promises it made last year to avoid NATO air strikes.

The general warned the situation risked spiralling out of control, with both Serbs and ethnic Albanians preparing for renewed conflict.

Correspondents say the comments are among the most pessimistic yet made by NATO officials.