Serbs riot over Kosovo independence on Yahoo! News Photos

Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaci is pictured in June 2009. ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:34:54 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaci is pictured in June 2009. Kosovo's main ruling party withdrew on Friday its threat to split from its junior coalition partner in the first such rift since Pristina proclaimed independence in 2008.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Alex Wong)

People walk at the Lake of Badovac, near Pristina, Kosovo November ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:51:22 GMT

(Reuters) - People walk at the Lake of Badovac, near Pristina, Kosovo November 19, 2009. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO SOCIETY)

People fish at the Lake of Badovac, near Pristina, Kosovo November ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:50:14 GMT

(Reuters) - People fish at the Lake of Badovac, near Pristina, Kosovo November 19, 2009. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO IMAGES OF THE DAY SOCIETY)

A child seen in the village of Buroje, in central Kosovo, November ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:24:45 GMT

(Reuters) - A child seen in the village of Buroje, in central Kosovo, November 10, 2009. Over the past decade Kosovo has received 3 billion euros in aid, according to the World Bank, and is expecting another billion by 2011. Still the country is one of the poorest countries in Europe with 40 percent unemployment rate and 15 percent of its two million people live in extreme poverty with less than a euro per day. Picture taken November 10, 2009. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO SOCIETY)

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, casts his ballot at a polling ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:00:07 GMT

(AFP/File) - Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, casts his ballot at a polling station in the capital Pristina on November 15. Thaci's party was on top in local polls held over the weekend, the first election here since the territory declared independence, preliminary results showed Tuesday.(AFP/File/Armend Nimani)

A supporter of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) waves a ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:20:12 GMT

(AFP/File) - A supporter of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) waves a flag during as they set off fireworks during a celebration of their victory in Pristina on late November 15. The United States Monday praised the Kosovo government for its handling of its first elections since its independence last year, calling them "a significant milestone" on the road to democracy.(AFP/File/Armend Nimani)

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci (C) cheers his supporters ...

(AFP/File) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:49:38 GMT

(AFP/File) - Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci (C) cheers his supporters as he claims victory for his Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) in Pristina late on November 15. Kosovo's prime minister claimed victory on Monday in the first local elections since the territory seceded from Serbia, hailing the polls a success after some minority Serbs ignored a boycott.(AFP/File/Armend Nimani)

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci gives a thumbs up as he claims ...

(AFP/File) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:49:38 GMT

(AFP/File) - Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci gives a thumbs up as he claims victory for his Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) in Pristina late on November 15. Kosovo's prime minister claimed victory on Monday in the first local elections since the territory seceded from Serbia, hailing the polls a success after some minority Serbs ignored a boycott.(AFP/File/Armend Nimani)

A Kosovo Albanian women casts her ballot at a polling station ...

(AFP/File) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:36:51 GMT

(AFP/File) - A Kosovo Albanian women casts her ballot at a polling station in Pristina on November 15. Kosovo's prime minister claimed victory Monday in the first local elections since the territory seceded from Serbia, hailing the polls as a success after some minority Serbs ignored a boycott.(AFP/File/Armend Nimani)

A man works at the Kosovo Election Commission counting center ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:34:17 GMT

(Reuters) - A man works at the Kosovo Election Commission counting center in Pristina, Kosovo November 16, 2009. Sunday's vote was a test for Kosovo, which wants to establish itself as a fully functioning democracy and gain acceptance form more countries than the 63 that have so far recognized it as an independent state. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Ballot boxes are seen at the Kosovo Election Commission counting ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:31:02 GMT

(Reuters) - Ballot boxes are seen at the Kosovo Election Commission counting center in Pristina, Kosovo November 16, 2009. Sunday's vote was a test for Kosovo, which wants to establish itself as a fully functioning democracy and gain acceptance form more countries than the 63 that have so far recognized it as an independent state. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Workers carry ballot boxes at the Kosovo Election Commission ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:28:49 GMT

(Reuters) - Workers carry ballot boxes at the Kosovo Election Commission counting center in Pristina, Kosovo November 16, 2009. Sunday's vote was a test for Kosovo, which wants to establish itself as a fully functioning democracy and gain acceptance form more countries than the 63 that have so far recognized it as an independent state. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Supporters of the Democratic League of Kosova, LDK, enjoy fireworks ...

(AP) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:03:21 GMT

(AP) - Supporters of the Democratic League of Kosova, LDK, enjoy fireworks as they celebrate an election victory after Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci claimed his party won in 20 of the 36 municipalities in the capital Pristina, Kosovo, early Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. Kosovo's first independent elections have ended peacefully, with the prime minister claiming his party won convincingly and some minority Serbs ignoring a call to boycott and casting ballots alongside ethnic Albanians. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Kosovo's Prime Minister and leader of Democratic Party of Kosovo, ...

(AP) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:58:16 GMT

(AP) - Kosovo's Prime Minister and leader of Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, Hashim Thaci, toasts his supporters as he claims victory in local elections, in the capital Pristina, Kosovo, early Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. Kosovo's first independent elections have ended peacefully, with the prime minister claiming his party won convincingly and some minority Serbs ignoring a call to boycott and casting ballots alongside ethnic Albanians.(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Kosovo's Prime Minister and leader of Democratic Party of Kosovo, ...

(AP) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:58:03 GMT

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci casts his ballot at a polling ...

(AFP) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:32:02 GMT

(AFP) - Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci casts his ballot at a polling station in the capital Pristina. Kosovo went to the polls Sunday for the first time since the ethnic Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia last year, amid a partial boycott by a divided Serbian community.(AFP/Armend Nimani)

A Kosovo Serb prepares his vote at a polling station in Gracanica. ...

(AFP) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:32:02 GMT

(AFP) - A Kosovo Serb prepares his vote at a polling station in Gracanica. Kosovo citizens went to the polls Sunday for the first time since the ethnic Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia in February 2008.(AFP/Armend Nimani)

A Kosovar Albanian votes at a polling station in the Kosovo ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:46:30 GMT

(Reuters) - A Kosovar Albanian votes at a polling station in the Kosovo town of Lipljane November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first elections since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for Kosovo's fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka

A Kosovo Serb man casts his ballot at a polling station in the ...

(AFP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:08:10 GMT

(AFP) - A Kosovo Serb man casts his ballot at a polling station in the village of Gusterica. Kosovo went to the polls Sunday for the first time since the ethnic Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia last year, amid a partial boycott by a divided Serbian community.(AFP/Armend Nimani)

A Kosovo Serb lights a candle at the Gracanica Monastery, 8 ...

(AFP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:08:10 GMT

(AFP) - A Kosovo Serb lights a candle at the Gracanica Monastery, 8 kms south of the capital Pristina, to express their sorrow for the death of Patriarch Pavle, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who died in Belgrade earlier in the day.(AFP/Armend Nimani)

Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu casts his ballot at a polling ...

(AFP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:08:10 GMT

(AFP) - Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu casts his ballot at a polling station in the capital Pristina. Kosovo went to the polls Sunday for the first time since the ethnic Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia last year, amid a partial boycott by a divided Serbian community.(AFP/Armend Nimani)

A Kosovo Serb prepares his vote at a polling station in Gracanica. ...

(AFP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:08:10 GMT

(AFP) - A Kosovo Serb prepares his vote at a polling station in Gracanica. Kosovo went to the polls Sunday for the first time since the ethnic Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia last year, amid a partial boycott by a divided Serbian community.(AFP/Armend Nimani)

A Kosovo Albanian couple wait to cast their ballot at a polling ...

(AFP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:33:30 GMT

(AFP) - A Kosovo Albanian couple wait to cast their ballot at a polling station in Pristina on November 15. Kosovo went to the polls Sunday for the first time since the ethnic Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia last year, amid a partial boycott by a divided Serbian community.(AFP/Armend Nimani)

Kosovo Albanians walk past an artwork bearing the word 'vote' ...

(AFP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:33:30 GMT

(AFP) - Kosovo Albanians walk past an artwork bearing the word 'vote' in Pristina, November 14. Kosovo went to the polls Sunday for the first time since the ethnic Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia last year, amid a partial boycott by a divided Serbian community.(AFP/Armend Nimani)

Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu casts his ballot on a polling ...

(AFP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:33:30 GMT

(AFP) - Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu casts his ballot on a polling station in the capital Pristina, November 15. Kosovo went to the polls Sunday for the first time since the ethnic Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia last year, amid a partial boycott by a divided Serbian community.(AFP/Armend Nimani)

Serbs holding ballot papers before voting at a polling station ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:01:37 GMT

(AP) - Serbs holding ballot papers before voting at a polling station in the town of Gracanica, just outside Kosovo's capital, Pristina on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Kosovo's prime minister urged minority Serbs not to boycott the country's first elections since independence from Serbia, calling the Sunday vote a key test for his new nation. The vote is the first that is being fully controlled by Kosovo's authorities and is seen as way of proving Kosovo's viability as a state following its contested declaration of independence from Serbia. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

A Serb woman holds a ballot paper at a polling station in the ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:01:05 GMT

(AP) - A Serb woman holds a ballot paper at a polling station in the town of Gracanica, just outside Kosovo's capital, Pristina on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Kosovo's prime minister urged minority Serbs not to boycott the country's first elections since independence from Serbia, calling the Sunday vote a key test for his new nation. The vote is the first that is being fully controlled by Kosovo's authorities and is seen as way of proving Kosovo's viability as a state following its contested declaration of independence from Serbia. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

An elderly Serb woman casts her vote in a polling station in ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:00:50 GMT

(AP) - An elderly Serb woman casts her vote in a polling station in the town of Gracanica, just outside Kosovo's capital, Pristina on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Kosovo's prime minister urged minority Serbs not to boycott the country's first elections since independence from Serbia, calling the Sunday vote a key test for his new nation. The vote is the first that is being fully controlled by Kosovo's authorities and is seen as way of proving Kosovo's viability as a state following its contested declaration of independence from Serbia. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci votes at a polling station ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:33:57 GMT

(Reuters) - Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci votes at a polling station in Pristina November 15, 2009. Kosovo went to the polls on Sunday for the first time since declaring independence from Serbia last year, with parties pledging to tackle unemployment, corruption, poor infrastructure and weak foreign investment. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Kosovar Albanians vote at a polling station in the Kosovo town ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:12:01 GMT

(Reuters) - Kosovar Albanians vote at a polling station in the Kosovo town of Lipljane November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first elecitons since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for its fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

An elderly ethnic Albanian couple vote in a polling station ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:11:14 GMT

(AP) - An elderly ethnic Albanian couple vote in a polling station in the capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Kosovo votes Sunday in the first election organized by local authorities since the declaration of independence from Serbia. The poll takes place amid renewed tensions between rival ethnic Albanian parties, fears of fraud and a likely boycott from the Serb minority. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

A Kosovar Serb smiles at a polling station in Gracanica, near ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:10:58 GMT

(Reuters) - A Kosovar Serb smiles at a polling station in Gracanica, near Pristina November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first elecitons since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for its fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu casts his vote at a polling ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:10:32 GMT

(AP) - Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu casts his vote at a polling station in capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. More than 1.5 million people are eligible to vote for mayors and local council members in 36 municipalities, including the capital Pristina. The elections are the first since the ethnic-Albanian majority unilaterally declared Kosovo independence from Serbia in February 2008. The polls were seen as a test of Kosovo's readiness to organise democratic elections on its own.(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu casts his vote at a polling ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:10:26 GMT

An elderly ethnic Albanian couple leave a polling station with ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:10:09 GMT

(AP) - An elderly ethnic Albanian couple leave a polling station with the EU flag on top after voting in capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. More than 1.5 million people are eligible to vote for mayors and local council members in 36 municipalities, including the capital Pristina. The elections are the first since the ethnic-Albanian majority unilaterally declared Kosovo independence from Serbia in February 2008. The polls were seen as a test of Kosovo's readiness to organise democratic elections on its own.(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Ethnic Albanian man fixes E.U and Albanian flags on top of a ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:09:47 GMT

(AP) - Ethnic Albanian man fixes E.U and Albanian flags on top of a polling station in the capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. More than 1.5 million people are eligible to vote for mayors and local council members in 36 municipalities, including the capital Pristina. The elections are the first since the ethnic-Albanian majority unilaterally declared Kosovo independence from Serbia in February 2008. The polls were seen as a test of Kosovo's readiness to organise democratic elections on its own.(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci speaks to media as he voted ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:09:28 GMT

(AP) - Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci speaks to media as he voted at a polling station in capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. More than 1.5 million people are eligible to vote for mayors and local council members in 36 municipalities, including the capital Pristina. The elections are the first since the ethnic-Albanian majority unilaterally declared Kosovo independence from Serbia in February 2008. The polls were seen as a test of Kosovo's readiness to organise democratic elections on its own.(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

An elderly ethnic Albanian couple vote in a polling station ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:09:04 GMT

(AP) - An elderly ethnic Albanian couple vote in a polling station in capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. More than 1.5 million people are eligible to vote for mayors and local council members in 36 municipalities, including the capital Pristina. The elections are the first since the ethnic-Albanian majority unilaterally declared Kosovo independence from Serbia in February 2008. The polls were seen as a test of Kosovo's readiness to organise democratic elections on its own.(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

An elderly ethnic Albanian woman casts her vote at a polling ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:08:52 GMT

(AP) - An elderly ethnic Albanian woman casts her vote at a polling station in capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. More than 1.5 million people are eligible to vote for mayors and local council members in 36 municipalities, including the capital Pristina. The elections are the first since the ethnic-Albanian majority unilaterally declared Kosovo independence from Serbia in February 2008. The polls were seen as a test of Kosovo's readiness to organise democratic elections on its own.(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu points at a ballot box prior ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:06:58 GMT

(AP) - Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu points at a ballot box prior to casting his vote at a polling station in capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Kosovo votes Sunday in the first election organized by local authorities since the declaration of independence from Serbia. The poll takes place amid renewed tensions between rival ethnic Albanian parties, fears of fraud and a likely boycott from the Serb minority. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, right, gives a thumb up ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:06:18 GMT

(AP) - Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, right, gives a thumb up after voting at a polling station in capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Kosovo votes Sunday in the first election organized by local authorities since the declaration of independence from Serbia. The poll takes place amid renewed tensions between rival ethnic Albanian parties, fears of fraud and a likely boycott from the Serb minority.(AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

A Kosovar Serb sits at a polling station in Gracanica, near ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:05:30 GMT

(Reuters) - A Kosovar Serb sits at a polling station in Gracanica, near Pristina November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first elecitons since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for its fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci casts his vote at a polling ...

(AP) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:04:18 GMT

(AP) - Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci casts his vote at a polling station in capital Pristina, Kosovo, on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Kosovo votes Sunday in the first election organized by local authorities since the declaration of independence from Serbia. The poll takes place amid renewed tensions between rival ethnic Albanian parties, fears of fraud and a likely boycott from the Serb minority. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu votes at a polling station ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:03:18 GMT

(Reuters) - Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu votes at a polling station in Pristina November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first elecitons since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for its fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu stands at a polling station ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:57:47 GMT

(Reuters) - Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu stands at a polling station in Pristina November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first elecitons since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for its fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)

Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci casts his vote at a ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:54:42 GMT

(Reuters) - Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci casts his vote at a polling station in Pristina November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first elections since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for its fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Kosovar Albanians vote in the Kosovo town of Lipljane November ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:50:24 GMT

(Reuters) - Kosovar Albanians vote in the Kosovo town of Lipljane November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for Kosovo's fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)

A Kosovar Serb votes at a polling station in the Kosovo town ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:29:34 GMT

(Reuters) - A Kosovar Serb votes at a polling station in the Kosovo town of Caglavica November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for Kosovo's fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)

A Kosovar Serb votes at a polling station in the Kosovo town ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:28:28 GMT

A Kosovar Albanian votes at a polling station in the Kosovo ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:26:18 GMT

(Reuters) - A Kosovar Albanian votes at a polling station in the Kosovo town of Lipljane November 15, 2009. Sunday's local elections are the first since the country declared independence in 2008 and they are seen as a key test for Kosovo's fragile democracy. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (KOSOVO ELECTIONS POLITICS)