Kosovo holds local elections

Kosovo's citizens have voted in local elections, the first since its unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia last year.

More than 1.5 million people were eligible to elect mayors and local councils in 36 municipalities. Clear winners will emerge only after second-round mayo-ral run-offs in a month's time.

Kosovo's leaders say they are committed to organizing free and fair elections and have called on the Serbs to join the process.

Security was tight especially in Serb-dominated areas. Kosovo's Central Election Commission says the polling was held without serious irregularities.

The Serbian government has claimed the local elections in Kosovo violated relevant UN resolutions, and warned it would not cooperate with Serbs elected into Kosovo's government bodies.