Bail chance for Serbian suspect

Vojislav Seselj has denied the authority of The Hague court

An ultra-nationalist Serbian leader is poised for release from custody in The Hague until the start of his trial for war crimes.

Serbia's government offered guarantees to the UN war crimes tribunal allowing them to free Vojislav Seselj along with former Gen Dragomir Milosevic.

Both men, former allies of ex-Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, face war crimes charges in The Hague.

According to a 2002 law, suspects have the right to be freed pending trial.

"We decided to give guarantees because we think that people should be released pending trial," the president of Serbia-Montenegro, Svetozar Marovic, told Serbian television.

SESELJ'S CAREER Vojislav Seselj with armed supporters in Vukovar in 1991 1954 born in eastern Hercegovina 1984 jailed after calling for Serb-dominated state 1999 resigns as Serbian deputy prime minister 2002 comes third in presidential election Click here for full profile of Vojislav Seselj

Mr Seselj surrendered to the UN War Crimes Tribunal in February 2003 and has been held in custody awaiting trial ever since.

He is accused by prosecutors of forming a paramilitary group responsible for a series of alleged atrocities in Croatia, Bosnia and the Vojvodina region of Serbia, and fanning the flames of war with nationalist speeches.

In past appearances at the tribunal he has denied ever torturing anyone, and questioned the legitimacy of the court to try him.

Gen Milosevic, who is not related to Slobodan Milosevic, surrendered to Serbian authorities earlier this month and was transferred to the court's custody.