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Russia warns Belgrade riots will harm Kosovo efforts

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Russia's foreign minister expressed concern to his Serb counterpart on Friday that riots in Belgrade would harm diplomatic efforts to settle the Kosovo problem, Serbia's Foreign Ministry said.
BELGRADE, February 22 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's foreign minister expressed concern to his Serb counterpart on Friday that riots in Belgrade would harm diplomatic efforts to settle the Kosovo problem, Serbia's Foreign Ministry said.

Protests against Kosovo's independence, the largest in Serbia's history, turned into street riots in Belgrade leaving at least 130 people injured and 192 rioters arrested.

Sergei Lavrov expressed regret to Vuk Jeremic over the incidents, but said Russia would continue to cooperate with Serbia at all levels to prevent Kosovo from being fully recognized by the international community.

The U.S., Australia, and several leading European countries, including France, Italy and Germany, have so far recognized Kosovo as an independent country, while Russia, Serbia, China and Spain have condemned the independence move.

Serbia's Foreign Ministry said Lavrov and Jeremic reiterated that "the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo is a harsh violation of international law, and this precedent may affect stability in the region and the world as a whole."

During the night, rioters in Belgrade attacked the embassies of the United States, Croatia, Belgium and Turkey, throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. The U.S. Embassy suffered the most damage and several floors were set on fire. U.S. diplomats later said that the remains of a charred body had been discovered in the building. Washington said all U.S. diplomats were safe.

Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Hustled away from the embassies, the rioters - mostly young people - moved down the streets looting and damaging at least 90 shops, kiosks and setting cars on fire.

Washington and the UN Security Council condemned the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade and urged Serbs to stay within international law and to respect the status of diplomatic missions. The EU followed suit.

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