Peaceful transfer of power in Montenegro more likely

Representatives of the outgoing president of Montenegro, Momir Bulatovic, and his pro-Western successor, Milo Djukanovic, have been holding talks to try and defuse a growing political crisis on the eve of the transfer of power.

Thousands of Mr Bulatovic's supporters have been demonstrating against the new president in recent days, alleging that the Montenegrin elections last October were fraudulent.

The BBC correspondent in Montenegro says it's looking increasingly likely that Mr Bulatovic will have to back down and accept Mr Djukanovic as his successor.

She says this would be a serious blow for his patron, Slobodan Milosevic, the president of the Yugoslav federation.

The United States has been bringing diplomatic pressure to bear to secure a peaceful transition of power.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service