Djuric: Serbia protecting its interests, international law

BEIRUT - In defending its own integrity in the case of Kosovo-Metohija, Serbia is not only protecting its own interests, but also international law, the head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija, Marko Djuric, said at a round table discussion on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

Serbia is "helping to prevent the virus of separatism and secession of territories populated by national minorities from introducing chaos to the international order," Djuric said at Thursday's round table, also attended by Kosovo Minister for Dialogue Edita Tahiri and held as part of an international forum in Lebanon.

The discussion was held in a constructive atmosphere, but disagreements over historical facts prompted a very intense debate between Djuric and Tahiri, the Office said in a statement.