At least 5,000 Serbs in Kosovo protest in Vienna

Several thousand Serbs gathered in Vienna on Sunday to protest Kosovo's unilateral independence. The event threatened to get out of hand in the course of the afternoon, with groups of protesters attempting to march towards the US embassy in Vienna, the Austrian press agency said. At least 5,000 Serbs in Kosovo protest in Vienna Austrian police was watching the situation closely but said the situation was under control. The rally began peacefully, though emotions ran high as protesters chanted slogans "Kosovo is the heart and soul of Serbia", and "Kosovo was and will always remain Serbian". Later, activists burned a U.S.-flag before some tried to make their way to the U.S. embassy some 1.5 kilometers from Heldenplatz where they gathered. Local police counted about 5,000 participants, while organizers claimed a turnout twice as high. Protesters had traveled to the rally from all over Austria. Authorities estimate that about 300,000 persons of Serbian descent live in the country. Serbs protest in Vienna (FoNet)

At least 5,000 Serbs in Kosovo protest in Vienna

Austrian police was watching the situation closely but said the situation was under control.

The rally began peacefully, though emotions ran high as protesters chanted slogans "Kosovo is the heart and soul of Serbia", and "Kosovo was and will always remain Serbian".

Later, activists burned a U.S.-flag before some tried to make their way to the U.S. embassy some 1.5 kilometers from Heldenplatz where they gathered.

Local police counted about 5,000 participants, while organizers claimed a turnout twice as high.

Protesters had traveled to the rally from all over Austria. Authorities estimate that about 300,000 persons of Serbian descent live in the country.