Parallel news from Kosovo, from mouth of Albanian Muslim "prime minister":
Kosovo Leader Says Province Ready for Independence
The prime minister of Kosovo says the U.N.-administered province is ready for independence from Serbia, and urged the international community not to delay any longer in deciding Kosovo's future status. Sabina Castelfranco reports for VOA from Rome.
Agim Ceku (file photo)Agim Ceku told reporters in Rome Kosovo's status must be determined soon, to facilitate development in the region.
U.N.-brokered talks on Kosovo's status were to have yielded a decision late this year, but the decision is being delayed until after Serbian parliamentary elections in January.
Ceku, who is on a tour of European capitals, said he envisions an independent Kosovo as a modern democratic state that is multi-ethnic, tolerant, secular and has prospects of joining the European Union.
"We think that the only solution for Kosovo is independence, but an independence that guarantees all rights to the minorities living in Kosovo and with an international civilian and military presence that controls the implementation of the accord on the status," he said.