MOSCOW - Russia urged Kosovo Albanian leaders on Monday to refrain from any move that could destabilise the region after pro-independence supporters claimed victory in weekend elections.
"An appeal was made to the leaders of the Kosovo Albanians to refrain from any action that could destabilise the region," in a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a Russian foreign ministry statement said.
Former Kosovo guerrilla leader Hashim Thaci on Sunday said his party had won key legislative polls and a madate to declare independence for the Serbian province that has been under United Nations administration since 1999.
cml/sms/mb
11/19/2007 14:39 GMT