UN police break up Kosovo protest

Many ethnic Albanians demand an outright independence

UN police in Kosovo have used tear gas to disperse some 2,000 ethnic Albanians protesting against a UN plan on the future status of Serbia's province.

At least one person was injured during the clashes in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, reports say.

The protesters said the UN plan - unveiled last week by chief UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari - did not go far enough in granting Kosovo independence.

The plan recommends a form of self-rule for Kosovo, strongly opposed by Serbs.

The UN has agreed to delay talks on its proposals until 21 February, at the request of Serbian President Boris Tadic.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday again warned that Moscow would not back any solution for Kosovo that was not also acceptable to Belgrade.

'No negotiation'

The ethnic Albanian demonstrators gathered near the provincial government building in Pristina.

Many of them chanted: "No negotiation. Self-determination", demanding a referendum on independence.

The UN police fired tear gas after the protesters tried to approach the government building.

At least one person was injured as the demonstrators tried to break through the police cordon, correspondents say.

Police said a number of people were arrested.

Mr Ahtisaari has proposed allowing Kosovo to adopt a constitution, a flag, a national anthem and apply for membership of international organisations.

But many ethnic Albanians - who comprise some 90% of Kosovo's two million people - want an outright independence.

Mr Ahtisaari's plan also envisages that Kosovo's Serb minority would have a high degree of control over its own affairs.

Kosovo has been administered by the UN since 1999, after a Nato bombing campaign drove Serbian troops from the province.