SDS denounces election of Bosnian Serb government as illegal

The Serb Democratic Party, which is loyal to the former leader of the Bosnian Serb Republic, Radovan Karadzic, has denounced the election of the new government led by Milorad Dodik as undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional.

The party said it did not recognise what it described as an unrepresentative puppet government, elected by the casting votes of Muslim deputies.

The Bosnian Serb assembly elected Mr Dodik after supporters of Mr Karadzic walked out.

Mr Dodik is backed by President Biljana Plavsic, who's been involved in a power struggle with followers of Mr Kardazic, and his government has been recognised by the Yugoslav government in Belgrade.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service