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Celebrations have begun in Kosovo's capital Pristina ahead of an expected declaration of independence.

Tens of thousands of Kosovans have been dancing in the streets, setting off fireworks and waving Albanian flags.

The festivities follow a statement by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci that Sunday would be a big day for "implementing the will of the citizens of Kosovo".

But correspondent say the potential for trouble between Kosovo's Serbs and ethnic Albanians is enormous.

Mr Thaci's comments on Saturday were the clearest indication yet that the province would declare independence from Serbia on Sunday.

Without confirming the move, he said the influence of Belgrade had ended, and nothing Serbia could do would have an impact on developments in Kosovo.

Flashpoint town

Shortly after the announcement, scores of drivers took to the streets of Pristina, honking their horns.

Strains of Albanian music blared from car stereos as distinctive red and black Albanian flags fluttered in the winter breeze.

Posters have been stuck on the walls of buildings expressing thanks to the US, Britain and the EU for supporting Kosovan independence.

In Belgrade, meanwhile, about 1,000 Serb demonstrators protested against the loss of territory they consider their heartland.

In the flashpoint town of Mitrovica, in northern Kosovo, Nato peacekeeping troops have laid concrete and razor-wire barriers to separate Serbs from Albanians.

Lieutenant-General Xavier de Marnhac, the French commander of the Nato peacekeepers, said his troops would react swiftly to any provocation from the Albanian or Serbian side of the divided town.

The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Mitrovica says local and UN police, as well as the Nato troops, are maintaining a high profile to reassure all the citizens of Kosovo that they have nothing to fear.

Quick recognition

Earlier, the EU approved sending a police and justice mission to Kosovo.

The 2,000-strong mission will begin deploying to the region from next week.

KOSOVO BACKGROUND

* Population: roughly two million
* Majority ethnic Albanian; 10% Serb
* Under UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 1999
* 2,000 strong EU staff to take over from UN after independence
* Nato troops would stay to provide security


It will be headed by retired French Lt Gen Yves de Kermabon, who was commander of the Nato mission in Kosovo in 2004-2005.

Veteran Dutch diplomat Pieter Feith has been appointed the EU special representative in Kosovo.

The US and most EU states are preparing to recognise Kosovo quickly, but Serbia and Russia strongly oppose the move.

The EU waited diplomatically until Serbia's pro-Western President Boris Tadic was sworn into office on Friday before giving the final green light for the deployment of the mission, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.

The decision was formalised by a so-called "silent procedure", under which members of the 27-nation bloc had until midnight on Friday to voice objections.

Sensitive areas

The 2,000 EU police and customs officers, judges and prosecutors are tasked with helping to prevent human rights abuses and ensure that Kosovo's fragile institutions are free from political interference.

Crucially, the mission will be able to intervene in sensitive areas such as fighting corruption and organised crime and catching war crime suspects.

While Germany and Italy are the biggest contributors, all EU members except for tiny Malta will take part, as well as non-EU countries like the United States, Turkey and Croatia.

Our correspondent says it is a clear signal to Serbia and Russia, which fiercely oppose Kosovo's independence and insist the presence of the EU there will be illegal.

Serbia has threatened to use diplomatic and economic measures against Kosovo, though it has ruled out using force.

The EU mission, known as EULEX, is to be deployed over four months, and is expected to take over from the United Nations by early June.

The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign in 1999 drove out Serb forces.

Baconsticks the other threads were all in good fun but this was just uncalled for. Locked.

Well I can't say I'm suprised by the news, but I am pleased.

Everyone has the right to rule themselves in their own name.