Kosovo Serbs defied the United Nations and held local elections Sunday, but the top UN official dismissed the ballot in the Serbian enclaves as "illegal" and "without effect."
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February, but Serbia went ahead with local elections in parts of the former province where Serbs are majority - coinciding with elections in Serbia itself.
"Illegal elections cannot have legal consequences. Their outcome will not be recognized," United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) head Joachim Ruecker said in a statement.
The separate Serb election in Kosovo was also opposed by the Pristina government.
Kosovo's Minister for Local Administration Sadri Ferati told local media that his government will not recognize the results and will not cooperate with the elected officials.
Kosovo's Albanian majority declared independence on February 17, a move recognized by more than 40 countries, including most EU members and the United States.
The Serbian minority, largely concentrated in northern Kosovo close to the Serbian border, is keeping close ties with Belgrade and refuses to participate in Kosovo's government, dpa reported.