The UN Security Council members meet to negotiate on Kosovo's declaration of independence on Monday, February 18, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

Indonesia's UN Ambassador Marty Natalegawa expressed "profound concern" over "the latest political development in Kosovo," adding that Indonesia "regrets the failure to reach a solution on Kosovo through dialogue and negotiation."

"We maintain our strong belief that a mutually acceptable agreement emanating from this process will better guarantee peace and stability in the region," he said.

Vietnam's UN Ambassador Le Luong Minh said Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence "will only add to tension in Kosovo and the Balkans, and deepen division in Europe."

"By creating a dangerous precedent, this development has negative implications for international peace and stability," he said, urging all parties concerned to "act responsibly, exercise restraints, refrain from acts of violence" and undertake measures to protect civilians and UN personnel on the ground.

Representatives from the United States, Britain, Italy, Belgium, France, and some other council members expressed support for Kosovo's move, with some announcing recognition of Pristina, arguing that a plan put forward by UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari for Kosovo's "supervised independence" is "the only viable way forward."

They insisted that the circumstances surrounding Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence were unique and that it would not set a precedent.

"It is not ideal for Kosovo to become independent without the consent of Serbia and without consensus in this Council," British Ambassador to the United Nations John Sawers said. "My government believes that the unique circumstances of the violent breakup of the former Yugoslavia and the unprecedented UN administration of Kosovo make this a sui generis case, which creates no wider precedent."

Following the UN Security Council emergency session, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told reporters that Belgrade is recalling ambassadors from countries recognizing Kosovo.

"Whoever decides to trample international laws and brutalize and trample the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia cannot continue having a normal relationship with our friendly, peaceful and democratic nation," Jeremic said.

"Serbia is going to fight, foot and nail, diplomatically, politically in each and every international forum," he said.

Kosovo's parliament on Sunday voted to adopt a declaration of the province's independence from Serbia.

Kosovo was a southern autonomous province within Serbia before the breakup of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Albanian-dominated region was plunged into ethnic conflicts in the 1990s.

Kosovo had been under UN administration since mid-1999, after NATO air strikes drove Serbian forces out of the province.