( dpa ) - The United States has urged Serbian authorities to take steps to protect the US embassy in Belgrade, the US State Department said Thursday, after the facility came under attack by a crowd protesting Washington's recognition of Kosovo's independence.
"We are in contact with the Serbian government to ensure that they devote the appropriate assets to fulfil their international obligations to help protect diplomatic facilities," spokesman Sean McCormack said.
McCormack said only US security personnel were at the embassy site at the time the protestors entered the facilities, and that embassy staff had gone home for the day. The ambassador was at his residence, McCormack said.
McCormack could not provide details about any damage that might have been done to the building. He said since Kosovo's declaration of independence on Sunday the Serbian government has provided adequate security at the embassy but he was not sure if the situation had changed.
The United States recognized Kosovo's independence on Monday, along with most of Europe's main powers, including Britain, France, Germany and Italy. Russia, Serbia's traditional ally, strongly objected to independence for Kosovo.
The diplomatic staff has been working at the embassy even though it has been closed to the public for security reasons, McCormack said.