Islamic states welcome Kosovo independence

The Organization of the Islamic Conference has welcomed Kosovo's declaration of independence, saying it would be an asset to the Muslim world.

"Kosovo has finally declared its independence after a long and determined struggle by its people. As we rejoice in this happy result, we declare our solidarity with and support to our brothers and sisters there," Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the head of the OIC, said at the opening of a meeting in Dakar on Monday.

"The Islamic (nation) wishes them success in the new battle awaiting them, which is the building of a strong and prosperous state capable of satisfying its people. There is no doubt that the independence of Kosovo will be an asset to the Muslim world and further enhance joint Islamic action," he said in comments sent to Reuters.

Kosovo Albanians declared independence on Sunday, the latest drama in the tortuous break-up of Serb-dominated Yugoslavia that began nearly two decades ago. Most Albanians are Muslims.

The majority Albanian territory, once ruled as a part of Serbia, has been under United Nations supervision since 1999, when NATO bombing forced a withdrawal of Serb forces that had been attacking Albanians in the province.

Serbian anger

Serbia withdrew its ambassadors from Washington and other major capitals as the United States and several European powers also recognized Kosovo's independence.

Belgrade insists the mainly ethnic Albanian territory is part of Serbia and vowed to block Kosovo from membership of the United Nations and other international organizations to which it belonged.

In a speech to the United Nations Security Council, Serbian President Boris Tadic warned that backing Kosovo set a dangerous precedent that would threaten world order.

Other countries, including China, Romania, Russia and Spain, also said they opposed Kosovo's independence, some saying it will encourage separatism.

Intl support

But Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said he was confident there would soon be international approval.

"On behalf of the American people, I hereby recognize Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state," President George W. Bush wrote in a letter to his counterpart in Pristina, Fatmir Sejdiu.

U.S., British, French and Turkish diplomats exchanged letters with Kosovo's leaders in Pristina to establish formal diplomatic ties.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith issued a statement recognizing Kosovo's independence, but he added: "Australia strongly urges the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to demonstrate the resolve and political determination to settle their differences peacefully."

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels were divided over how to respond to Kosovo's split from Serbia. The ministers said in a declaration that it would be for individual nations to announce their decisions.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said their countries had recognized Kosovo. Germany, Italy and 14 other EU member states declared their intention to follow suit, while a number reserved judgment.

Protests

As President Tadic appealed to the U.N. Security Council in New York, Serbia's parliament met in Belgrade Monday in special session to "annul" the independence declaration.

More than 5,000 protesters gathered in the capital to demonstrate against independence and some groups smashed the windows of a McDonald's restaurant and threw rocks at the Turkish embassy.

In Kosovo itself, an explosion in the flashpoint town of Mitrovica, near the building where U.N. police and OSCE officers are located, shattered car windows but hurt no one.

Russia and China

Russia and Serbia failed again on Monday to persuade the U.N. Security Council to oppose Kosovo's declaration -- but nor has the Council given its stamp of approval to the independence process.

China, like Russia a permanent member of the Security Council, expressed "grave concern" over Kosovo's declaration, which triggered new tensions between the Chinese and Taiwanese governments.

"The unilateral move taken by Kosovo will lead to a series of consequences. China is deeply worried about its severe and negative impact on peace and stability in the Balkan region," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.

Long-time rival Taiwan warmly welcomed the independence declaration.

"In no way should the independence of one nation be denied by another," said the foreign ministry in Taiwan. China claims Taiwan is a renegade province which should be reunited with the mainland.

Russia has said Kosovo could serve as a precedent for the separatist provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in neighboring Georgia, but Tbilisi warned Monday that it would "respond to agitation" prompted by Pristina's move.