Tear gas launched in Kosovo parliament in anti-Serbia action by opposition

Two tear gas canisters have been let off in Kosovo's parliament as the opposition party pledged to "use all the methods" in a bitter row over proposed deals with Serbia and Montenegro.

Politicians put on gas masks and stood defiantly in the debating chamber in Pristina as smoke filled the room.

According to the Associated Press, the opposition has used pepper spray, whistles and water bottles in recent months to urged the government to renounce controversial deals agreed in August, which would empower ethnic Serbs in Kosovo and establish a clear border with Montenegro.

The latest action saw the debating chamber cleared, while local media reported a separate session without the opposition could be held at a different location.

The opposition has demanded a referendum or fresh election if the Kosovo administration refused to halt the deals.

The Associated Press quoted Glauk Konjufca of the Self-Determination Movement as saying the acts were "to make (the government) understand that the Aug. 25 deals ... cannot pass in Kosovo and that the opposition is determined to use all the methods so these two deals damaging Kosovo's statehood are not applied".