Yugoslavia embraces new era

The celebrations carried on outside the parliament building

Yugoslavia's new President, Vojislav Kostunica, is turning his attention to forming a new government following his inauguration.

One of his big challenges is that all of Serbia's key institutions are still run by the chosen supporters of the ex-President, Slobodan Milosevic.

In his speech after taking the oath of office in Belgrade on Saturday, Mr Kostunica said Yugoslavia would not sacrifice dignity to secure international acceptance.

"I hope we will be able to return our country to the international community... that is to return with dignity, with respect for our national interests and our national dignity," he said.

Kostunica: New era for Yugoslavia

Correspondents say perhaps the biggest barrier to peace and stability in the Balkans remains the fate of Kosovo and Montenegro.

Any steps they take to further assert their independence will not accord with Mr Kostunica's pledge to further strengthen ties in the Yugoslav federation.

The new president also said he would bring Kosovo - currently under UN protection - under Yugoslav sovereignty.

Standing ovation

Mr Kostunica, a former constitutional law professor, received a standing ovation from other newly-elected deputies.

Thousands of people attended an open air rock concert in Belgrade as part of the celebrations.

Yugoslavia and Serbia have joined the community of democratic nations

President Vojislav Kostunica

In his acceptance speech, Mr Kostunica spoke about the dawning of a new era of politics in Yugoslavia.

"We lived in a system without democracy. It exists now," said Mr Kostunica.

"Today political parties are replacing one another in power. Everything is peaceful and Yugoslavia and Serbia have joined the community of democratic nations," he said.

The inauguration took place in a modern conference centre, because the parliament building was badly damaged during this week's upheaval.

Meanwhile, details have emerged of the role the Yugoslav army played in persuading the former President Slobodan Milosevic to stand down.

Western diplomats and opposition sources in Belgrade told the BBC that top army officers visited him on Friday night, told him he was now the ex-president, and forced him at gunpoint to meet Mr Kostunica.

Backroom deals

Mr Kostunica's coalition has the largest bloc in parliament, but must reach agreement with other parties to secure a working majority.

The parliament was looted and burnt

The swearing-in ceremony was delayed for several hours while Mr Kostunica engaged in intensive behind the scenes negotiations to form his new government.

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Mr Kostunica was elected on 24 September, but his predecessor, Slobodan Milosevic, only admitted defeat on Friday after a popular revolt.

Mr Milosevic's Socialist Party of Serbia is the largest in the parliament but will not have a majority unless it can retain the support of its former allies, including the Montenegrin socialist party, SNP.

Foreign aid package

Germany is to grant Yugoslavia an immediate aid package of $870,000.

The money will go towards clearing the Danube river. The area around Novi Sad - Serbia's second city - is blocked by the debris of bridges destroyed during the Nato bombing campaign last year.

A German Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Berlin was counting on the support of other European Union nations in helping Yugoslavia.

EU foreign ministers meet on Monday in Luxembourg to discuss granting emergency aid to Belgrade following the removal of Slobodan Milosevic from power.

France has inviting Mr Kostunica to attend an informal EU meeting in Biarritz in France next week.