US, EU backing for Serbian protesters

The United States and the European Union have given strong backing to the opposition demonstrations in Serbia.

Speaking in Washington, the Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, promised more support to the opponents of President Milosevic.

She also warned the officials in Belgrade that the Serbian people would remember those who had taken part in what she called the oppression of freedom.

The Portuguese Foreign Minister, Jaime Gama, whose country holds the EU's presidency meanwhile said the demonstrations had given Serbs concrete hope of change.

More rallies were held in towns across Serbia on Friday night.

Unlike on two previous days there were no clashes between the police and the protesters. The latest protests began after the forced closure of opposition television and radio broadcasters earlier this week.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service