Both sides claim victory in Montenegro

Both sides in Sunday's local elections in Montenegro have said the results represent a victory for their policies.

The elections were seen as a test of whether Montenegro is heading towards independence or whether it will stay part of Federal Yugoslavia.

In the capital, Podgorica, there was convincing success for the party of President Milo Djukanovic.

He said this proved that the policies of the Yugoslav leader, Slobodan Milosevic, were dying out in Montenegro, which is on the way to democracy, reform and integration with Europe.

But in Herceg Novi, the second town where voting took place, Mr Milosevic's supporters took control of the local council, claiming vindication of continued closer ties with Belgrade. They accused Mr. Djukanovic of taking money from the west and said they would be querying his victory in the capital

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service