Kosovo Serbs torch border posts

PRISTINA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Serbs on Tuesday torched two checkpoints on the border between Kosovo and Serbia proper to protest the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo by ethnic Albanian authorities, said Kosovo police.

Angry Serbs set on fire UN and customs offices housed in containers at the checkpoints.

The NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, KFOR, was called in to back up the Kosovo police. But there were no reports of casualties.

In Mitrovica, over 1,000 students rallied in the Serb-dominated north Mitrovica, at the river that separates Serbs from ethnic Albanians in the city, kicking off a 30-day campaign.

"We are protesting in the hope that other countries will see this. We hope more countries will be with us," said a student protestor who would only reveal his first name as Alexander.

Marko Jasic, an organizer of the campaign, said the students would rally every day in the coming 30 days in the hope that their voice can be heard by the international community.

"We are trying to give our voice on the problem with international law," said Jasic, a law student, in reference to Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence.

The majority of the protestors came from the University of Pristina in Mitrovica, the Serb section of the university.

The protestors dispersed peacefully in about an hour.

In Pristina, the capital city, ethnic Albanians continued their celebrations in the streets.

The unilateral declaration of independence has divided the international community. The United States and big European powers, such as Britain, France and Germany, have said they would recognize Kosovo's independence. Serbia has said the proclamation was null and void. Russia has condemned the move.