Serbs rally in Kosovo stronghold

Demonstrators crammed into north Mitrovica's narrow streets

Thousands of Serbs opposed to Kosovo's independence have rallied in the ethnically split town of Mitrovica in the north of the disputed province.

They waved banners and chanted slogans opposing an independence declaration promised by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders early next year.

The rally was held on the eve of a meeting of the UN Security Council.

It is due to discuss the failure to reach a negotiated agreement on Kosovo's future.

"We are clearly and loudly telling a part of the international community 'No' to an independent Kosovo," Marko Jaksic, a local nationalist Serb leader, told the protestors.

"We're sending Europe a message that its mission won't be coming to Kosovo outside of the UN resolution."

Estimates for the number of people at the rally ranged from several thousand to 10,000.

Appeal to Russia

Separately, moderate Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic appealed to Belgrade to do its utmost to prevent an exodus of ethnic Serbs.

"I hope that a clear signal will follow for Serbs to stay here from our leaders," he was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

A portrait of Russian Vladimir Putin could be seen amid the crowd on Tuesday and one banner read "Russia, help!"

Russia has backed Serbia's opposition to independence.

About 17,000 Serbs live in northern Mitrovica while a further 36,000 live in adjoining areas with small Albanian minorities.

Pressed up close to the administrative border with Serbia and linked to Belgrade economically, the area seems de facto partitioned from the rest of Kosovo, if formally under international control.