Angry Serbs plan Kosovo protest

Serbia says Kosovo's independence move is illegal

Hundreds of thousands of Serbs are expected to join a rally in Belgrade to protest Kosovo's declaration of independence over the weekend.

Schools are closed for the day and the rail network is providing free travel.

A large stage has been erected outside parliament for an address by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica.

Organisers are hoping the rally will be peaceful, following riots in the capital on Sunday and attacks by Kosovo Serbs on two border posts.

Prayers

Most Serbs bitterly oppose losing the province, which they consider their religious and cultural heartland.

Mr Kostunica called the new country a "false state", and Russia also opposed the move.

The rally is due to start at 1700 (1600 GMT) in central Belgrade.

KOSOVO PROFILE Population about two million Majority ethnic Albanian; 10% Serb Under UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 1999 2,000-strong EU staff to take over from UN after independence Recognised by US, UK, Germany, Italy and France Not recognised by Russia, Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus Nato to stay to provide security Country profile: Kosovo Tense confusion on border

It will a chance for Serbs to show how much they oppose the independence of Kosovo, says the BBC's Nick Hawton in the Serbian capital.

Tennis star Novak Djokovic and film director Emir Kusturica are expected to attend, AFP news agency reported.

After a series of speeches, the crowd will march to the city's biggest church, the Temple of Saint Sava, where prayers for Kosovo will be said by Serbian Orthodox archbishops.

The US, the UK, Germany and Italy have all recognised Kosovo.

In the coming weeks, an almost 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help the country develop its police force and judiciary.