Balkans

Pristina – The fact that UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari won the Nobel Peace Prize should encourage Kosovo to build a multi-ethnic society where the rule of law prevails, says the Belgian parliamentary speaker.

Podgorica – A doctor at Montenegro’s main clinical centre has announced the leader of the opposition Serbian List Andrija Mandic was released from hospital on Monday.

Sofia – A delegation from the European Parliament has been visiting a site near Bulgaria’s Rila Mountain national park, where activists claim illegal construction is damaging the environment.

Pristina – Kosovo Albanians have found their second home in Switzerland from where they have continued to help their homeland, Kosovo’s President said during a trip to the country.

Sarajevo – A new proposed indictment against wartime Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has been discussed at a status conference held at The Hague war crimes tribunal.

Skopje – Macedonia police are probing claims by a witness who claims the secret police were behind an assassination attempt on ex-President Kiro Gligorov in 1995, reports say.

Skopje – About 60 high- and low-ranking police officers from Macedonia’s northeast town of Kumanovo, have been relieved of their duties over suspected involvement in crime, reports say.

Belgrade - Miladin Kovacevic, sought by the US government for allegedly assaulting an American student and fleeing the country, has been taken in for questioning by Serbian Interior Ministry officials.

Tirana _ The Albanian opposition has restated its demands to hold a extraordinary parliamentary hearing to grill the Albanian Premier Sali Berisha over his ties to Bosnian businessman, Damir Fazlic.

Skopje – Macedonia’s negotiators in the UN-sponsored talks over the “name row” with Greece, are leaving for New York to convey Skopje’s view on the latest settlement plan.