Fire breaks out as protesters gather at Kosovo government HQ
Angry demonstrators have set fire to Kosovo’s government headquarters in the capital, Pristina, in reaction to a recent European Union (EU)-mediated agreement between the Balkan country and Serbia.
On Saturday, police used tear gas to break up crowds of anti-government protesters who threw Molotov cocktails at the government building. The seat of government briefly caught fire after the attacks.
Firefighters arrived at the scene to put out the fire. Police used tear gas to push back several thousand opposition demonstrators.
Reports say thousands of protesters had gathered to denounce the deal brokered by the EU, which aims to grant Kosovo’s ethnic Serb minority greater local powers and the possibility of financing from Serbia.
Last month, opposition lawmakers released tear gas during a parliament session in Kosovo in reaction to a number of decisions by the government, including the deal with Serbia.
In August 2015, Kosovo agreed to the controversial deal, which allows Serbs greater autonomy.
The opposition argues that the agreement will increase Serbia’s influence and deepen Kosovo’s ethnic divide.
Kosovo, whose population is predominantly ethnic Albanian, declared independence from Serbia in 2008. It has so far received international recognition from about 100 countries. However, Belgrade refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence.
Kosovo and Serbia were at war from 1998 to 1999, which ended after Serbian armed forces withdrew from the territory.
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