Protest in Kosovo Against Deal with Serbia Turns Violent

Flames burn at the building of the Kosovo`s government after supporters of Kosovo opposition political parties threw molotov cocktails on it during a violent protest in Pristina, Kosovo, 09 January 2016. EPA/BGNES

Demonstrators in Kosovo fought with police and set fire to the government's headquarters in Pristina on Saturday in protest over a deal with Serbia giving greater power to the Serb minority, Reuters reported.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Belgrade has not recognised Kosovo's independence but in August 2015 it signed agreements to normalise ties with Pristina - a key condition for Serbia's EU accession.

The anti-government demonstrators hurled stones and petrol bombs at the government building and briefly set it alight but the flames were soon put down.

Riot police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators protesting against a EU-brokered deal to give Kosovo's ethnic Serb minority greater local government powers and the possibility of financing from Belgrade.

The demontrators urged Kosovo's government to resign, arguing it has broken Kosovo's constitution in reaching the deal with Serbia.

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