Outraged by the support of the United States and Western countries for the secession of Kosovo, Serbians attacked the U.S. embassy in Belgrade in protest. For some unknown reason, the embassy wasn't being guarded at the time of the attack.
About a 1,000 overall attacked the compound, with some throwing flares through the windows to start the fires. Others climbed the walls and tore down the American flag.
Along with the attacks on the U.S. embassy, came attacks on the Turkish, Belgian and Croatian compounds as well.
The Serbian Prime Minister has to take some responsibility for this as he stirred up a huge crowd with an emotional speech which condemned the declaration of Kosovo for independence.
Over 150,000 Serbs attended the demonstration, and declared they would take the territory back, which is looked upon as the heart of the Serbian religion and nation.
The U.S. called upon the United Nation to condemn the attacks, and demanded the Serbs protect the complex as required by international law.
Footage of attack on U.S. Embassy in Belgrade
What others are saying:US embassy in Belgrade attacked
The United States expressed outrage at the attack. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, said he would call on the UN to also condemn the violence.
He said he wanted to remind "the Serb government of its responsibility to protect diplomatic facilities".
In pictures: Belgrade rally
Belgrade's US Embassy Set on Fire
Masked attackers broke into the U.S. compound, which was closed at the time, just after 7 p.m. and tried to throw furniture from an office. They set fire to the office and flames shot up the side of the building.
It took police about 45 minutes to appear at the scene, and firefighters arrived about the same time and put out the blaze. Police secured the U.S. Embassy and surrounding area, blocking off all access.
Belgrade protesters break into U.S. embassy
A U.S. official also claimed that a charred body was found in the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade after protesters smashed their way into the building and set it on fire.
"A charred body was found in the embassy. All U.S. personnel have been accounted for," said a U.S. official, who spoke on condition he was not named. He had no details on the nationality or identity of the body.
Serbia regresses as Belgrade burns
The violent demonstration came at the end of a state-sponsored rally held under the banner "Kosovo is Serbia." Apparently the angry, anti-American outburst had no relation to the 200,000 person rally, but Serbia's state officials definitely should have seen an attack on the U.S. Embassy coming.
Serbs attack US embassy in Belgrade
Masked men broke into the US compound in Belgrade, which has been closed this week, and tried to throw furniture from an office. They set fire to the office and flames were seen shooting up the side of the building.
Later, an unidentified charred body was found inside the embassy.
"It was found at the part of the building set on fire by the protesters," embassy spokeswoman Rian Harris said. She said all embassy staff were accounted for. Citing police sources, Belgrade's Pink TV station said the body appeared to be that of a rioter who had managed to enter the consular part of the building.
US seeks UN condemnation of attacks in Serbian capital
US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said he was "outraged" at Thursday's attack on the US Embassy in Belgrade, where masked men set fire to an office, sending flames shooting up the side of the building.
The neighboring Croatian Embassy also was targeted by the same group of protesters. Smaller groups attacked police posts outside the Turkish and British embassies in another part of the city but were beaten back.
"I'm going to go into the Security Council," Khalilzad said, "and ask for a unanimous statement to be issued expressing the council's outrage, condemning the attack, and also reminding the Serb government of its responsibility to protect diplomatic facilities."
U.S. urges Serbia to help protect U.S. Embassy
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said ... the State Department had an open line to the embassy, but said he had few details of what was happening.
"Last reports I had were that they were in the consular building," he said of the protesters.
He said he believed the attack came after business hours, when the ambassador and staff were not there. His understanding was that the only people in the embassy at the time of the attack were security people and Marine guards.
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