Protesters storm Yugoslav parliament

Opposition supporters from across Serbia have stormed the Yugoslav parliament building in Belgrade proclaiming Vojislav Kostunica as the new Yugoslav president.

Sporadic skirmishes between Mr Kostunica’s supporters and security forces across Belgrade have been light and shortlived.

Demonstrators also ransacked the headquarters of the propaganda mouthpiece of the Milosevic regime, Radio Television Serbia, and set the building on fire forcing three state channels off the air.

Independent radio station B2-92 has announced that senior army officials have made contact with the opposition and withdrawn their forces from the centre of the capital.

The relatively peaceful revolution began with a rally this morning to contest the legitimacy of President Milosevic’s regime and his efforts to maintain his authority.

A state radio broadcast just before 1100 local time (0900 GMT) announced the Constitutional Court had annulled last month’s presidential election and ordered a re-vote, effectively giving Mr Milosevic another year in power.

Vote rigging

But opposition leaders in turn gave Milosevic an ultimatum to surrender power by 1500 (1300 GMT). They then filed criminal charges against him for vote rigging.

In the early afternoon police fired tear gas into the huge crowds of Kostunica supporters surrounding the state parliament.

Protestors were temporarily halted at the steps of the building before police withdrew. Some officers even joined the demonstration themselves.

Using a bulldozer to gain entry, groups then made their way inside, lighting fires and smashing furniture and computer equipment.

Britain and the US have given their support to the popular uprising and have urged Mr Milosevic to stand down.

President Bill Clinton said the US stood by those who were “fighting for their freedom”. Meanwhile the Yugoslav state news agency Tanjug has asserted its independence from state control.

Mr Kostunica is expected to address a vast crowd assembled in front of the Yugoslav parliament shortly.

If Russia gives its blessing and the Yugoslav army officially recognises Mr Kostunica’s legitimacy he could be sworn in as president by the end of the week.