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Friday, 22 February 2008, 14:08 GMT

In pictures: Belgrade rally

Serbian protesters set fire to the US embassy in Belgrade, Serbia

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The US and other embassies in Serbia's capital have been attacked by hundreds of protesters angry at the declaration of independence by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders.

Serbian protesters set fire to the US embassy in Belgrade, Serbia

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About 1,000 Serbs attacked the US compound; some got inside, briefly setting fire to several rooms. The UK, Belgian, Croatian and Turkish missions were also targeted.

A car burns in front of a restaurant in Belgrade, 21 February 2008

A car burns in front of a restaurant in Belgrade, 21 February 2008

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Businesses and restaurants were also attacked. There are reports of one fatality and up to 100 wounded in the violence.

Riot police on the streets of Belgrade (Pic: Ognjen Radosevic, Vecernje Novosti)

Riot police on the streets of Belgrade (Pic: Ognjen Radosevic, Vecernje Novosti)

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There initially appeared to be no police presence at the US embassy, but riot police later moved in to disperse the crowd.

Riot police vehicles on the streets of Belgrade (Pic: Ognjen Radosevic, Vecernje Novosti)

Riot police vehicles on the streets of Belgrade (Pic: Ognjen Radosevic, Vecernje Novosti)

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Serbian authorities have been criticised for their response to the violence. The EU called on Serbia to protect foreign embassies.

Serbian protesters gather in front of the parliament building in Belgrade, 21 February 2008

Serbian protesters gather in front of the parliament building in Belgrade, 21 February 2008

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The attacks came as an earlier peaceful protest by more than 150,000 Serbs outside the main parliament building in Belgrade came to an end.

Demonstrators wave Serbian and Russian flags ahead of a rally in Belgrade, 21 February 2008

Demonstrators wave Serbian and Russian flags ahead of a rally in Belgrade, 21 February 2008

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Demonstrators turned out waving the national flags of Serbia, and Russia - which has backed the Serbian government in its opposition to Sunday's declaration.

Protester in traditional Montenegro dress, Belgrade, 21 February 2008

Protester in traditional Montenegro dress, Belgrade, 21 February 2008

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The slogan of the demonstration, chanted by protesters, was simply: "Kosovo is Serbia".

Bikers ride with Serbian flags in Belgrade ahead of a rally to protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence, 21 February 2008

Bikers ride with Serbian flags in Belgrade ahead of a rally to protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence, 21 February 2008

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Most Serbs are bitterly opposed to losing the province, which they consider as their religious and cultural heartland.

UN police block the main bridge in Mitrovica, 21 February 2008

UN police block the main bridge in Mitrovica, 21 February 2008

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At border areas and in Kosovo, Nato-led peacekeepers were deployed, as some Serbs tried to cross into Kosovo.

A boy holds a poster of French President Nicolas Sarkozy during protests in Mitrovica, 21 February 2008

A boy holds a poster of French President Nicolas Sarkozy during protests in Mitrovica, 21 February 2008

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There were also protests in Mitrovica, Kosovo. The US, UK, France and Italy are among states recognising Kosovo's declaration, which has split the international community.

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US embassy in Belgrade attacked (21 Feb 08 | Europe )