BBC News Online: World: Europe

New flag imposed on Bosnia

The International High Representative in Bosnia-Hercegovina, Carlos Westendorp, has imposed a new state flag after the country's parliament failed to agree on a design.

A spokesman for Mr Westendorp said the flag -- a yellow triangle and white stars on a dark blue background -- represented unity, not division.

He said it would be carried by the Bosnian team at the Winter Olympics in Japan on Saturday.

Mr Westendorp's decision comes after Bosnian Serbs and Croats opposed designs without national symbols, and follows his previous decision on the final design of Bosnia's currency.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service