UN Council rejects Serbia calls for Kosovo meet

Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuc Jeremic on Thursday protested after he was not allowed to address Security Council consultations on Kosovo.

The 15-member council held closed consultations on Kosovo as NATO peacekeepers moved to stabilize the crisis by seizing two border crossings with Serbia at the centre of the tensions.

Russia took up Serbia's calls for an open meeting on Friday where Jeremic, who flew specially to New York, could speak, but this was turned down.

"There will be a regular council meeting on Kosovo next month, it was decided that would be the appropriate place for public debate," said one western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It is very very difficult for us to understand why there was so much resistance to making a contribution to the debate by a UN member state that is obviously a highly interested stake-holder," Jeremic told reporters after being told of the rebuff.

"You may or may not agree with what Serbia has to say but it's at least fair to hear us out -- we were not allowed to be heard," the minister added.

Jeremic said Serbia would send its remarks to the council and he would return for the August meeting.

"I hope there is not going to be any need for emergency sessions," Jeremic said of the tensions.

"It is of critical importance that peace and stability is preserved despite everything inside the territory. It is important that all sides remain calm."

Jeremic did meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who expressed concern over events in northern Kosovo and called for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia to settle their disputes, said a UN spokesman.