Serbia has defied the entry into force of a new Kosovo constitution by setting up a new parliament for minority Serbs.
Serbia has defied the entry into force of a new Kosovo constitution by setting up a new parliament for minority Serbs.
Slobodan Samardzic, the minister for Kosovo in the outgoing Belgrade government, made the announcement in the divided northern town of Mitrovica.
Slobodan Samardzic, the minister for Kosovo in the outgoing Belgrade government, made the announcement in the divided northern town of Mitrovica.
Kosovo's new constitution ends nine years of UN rule, and hands power to the ethnic Albanian majority.
Kosovo's new constitution ends nine years of UN rule, and hands power to the ethnic Albanian majority.
It comes four months after Kosovo's declaration of independence, backed by
It comes four months after Kosovo's declaration of independence, backed by
the West but opposed by Russia.
the West but opposed by Russia.
Kosovo's minority Serbs insist the new constitution will not apply to them.
Kosovo's minority Serbs insist the new constitution will not apply to them.
'Historic moment'
'Historic moment'
The constitution coming into force has provoked renewed hostility from the Serbs, who make up less than 10% of the population, and still consider Kosovo to be part of Serbia.
The constitution coming into force has provoked renewed hostility from the Serbs, who make up less than 10% of the population, and still consider Kosovo to be part of Serbia.
Speaking in the Serb stronghold of Mitrovica, Mr Samarzic said the new Kosovan Serb Assembly would hold its first session in two weeks
Speaking in the Serb stronghold of Mitrovica, Mr Samarzic said the new Kosovan Serb Assembly would hold its first session in two weeks
The Serb assembly will co-ordinate the work of elected Serb representatives
The Serb assembly will co-ordinate the work of elected Serb representatives
Its first task was to co-ordinate the work of Serb representatives elected to local councils during Serbian elections last month, but also to have what he called "a representative character, too".
Its first task was to co-ordinate the work of Serb representatives elected to local councils during Serbian elections last month, but also to have what he called "a representative character, too".
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Mitrovica said the new Serb assembly represents a serious challenge to the new Kosovan constitution.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Mitrovica said the new Serb assembly represents a serious challenge to the new Kosovan constitution.
He added that internal Serb disagreements over strategy are as important as potential conflicts between Serbs and Albanians in the coming months.
He added that internal Serb disagreements over strategy are as important as potential conflicts between Serbs and Albanians in the coming months.
In a first move after the new constitution entered into force, Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu signed a package of laws, creating Kosovo's first ministry of defence, army and foreign ministry.
In a first move after the new constitution entered into force, Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu signed a package of laws, creating Kosovo's first ministry of defence, army and foreign ministry.
President Sejdiu said it was a "historic moment", marking the end of "Kosovo's cycle of statehood".
President Sejdiu said it was a "historic moment", marking the end of "Kosovo's cycle of statehood".
Ministers from the ethnic Albanian government took part in a low-key ceremony on Sunday evening, which was broadcast live.
Ministers from the ethnic Albanian government took part in a low-key ceremony on Sunday evening, which was broadcast live.
UN role
UN role
The EU is to deploy several missions, including a 2,200-strong Law and Justice Mission (Eulex), but Russia has blocked a formal handover from the UN.
The EU is to deploy several missions, including a 2,200-strong Law and Justice Mission (Eulex), but Russia has blocked a formal handover from the UN.
Serbian President Boris Tadic said the Eulex mission was welcome in Kosovo, but "under two conditions: that it is preceded by a UN Security Council decision and that it does not implement the Ahtisaari plan, which includes Kosovo's supervised independence".
Serbian President Boris Tadic said the Eulex mission was welcome in Kosovo, but "under two conditions: that it is preceded by a UN Security Council decision and that it does not implement the Ahtisaari plan, which includes Kosovo's supervised independence".
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Ceremonies mark the constitution coming into force
Ceremonies mark the constitution coming into force
Mr Tadic was referring to the plan drawn up by former UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari, which envisaged the decentralisation of Kosovo and considerable autonomy for Kosovo Serbs.
Mr Tadic was referring to the plan drawn up by former UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari, which envisaged the decentralisation of Kosovo and considerable autonomy for Kosovo Serbs.
The plan - backed by Western countries - has not been formally approved, due to Russian objections.
The plan - backed by Western countries - has not been formally approved, due to Russian objections.
The Eulex had been due to start its work over the weekend, but Russia has blocked the handover, saying the move has not been approved by the UN Security Council.
The Eulex had been due to start its work over the weekend, but Russia has blocked the handover, saying the move has not been approved by the UN Security Council.
Pieter Feith, the EU's special representative in Kosovo, said the UN thought it was the right time to hand over power to the Kosovo government.
Pieter Feith, the EU's special representative in Kosovo, said the UN thought it was the right time to hand over power to the Kosovo government.
"We think this is a significant new period that is starting," he said.
"We think this is a significant new period that is starting," he said.
"The secretary general of the United Nations has recognised realities on the ground and has decided to reconfigure the United Nations presence here and this will give the government full authority in all its competencies."
"The secretary general of the United Nations has recognised realities on the ground and has decided to reconfigure the United Nations presence here and this will give the government full authority in all its competencies."
He added that it would be part of his role to help the government implement the Ahtisaari plan for the future of Kosovo.
He added that it would be part of his role to help the government implement the Ahtisaari plan for the future of Kosovo.
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