Kosovo's parliament ratified the fledgling state's constitution on April 9, Reuters reported. The constitution will come into force in mid-June, when the United Nations is scheduled to hand over its oversight powers to the European Union.

The constitution declares Kosovo a secular republic, "an independent, sovereign, democratic, unique and indivisible state", Reuters said. All 103 members of parliament that attended the session voted in favour, Serbian broadcaster B92 reported.

Kosovo will be a "parliamentary republic, and that the highest power lies with the president", according to the text, which was approved by the head of the EU mission, Pieter Feith, last week, B92 said.

It also has extensive provisions for the protection of the Serb minority in northern Kosovo, declaring Serbian as one of the two official languages of the province, in line with the provisions of the Ahtisaari independence plan.

Serbia, which has received strong support from Russia on the issue, rejected the plan and views Kosovo's declaration of independence as illegal.

Kosovo has enjoyed de facto independence from Belgrade since the Nato campaign drove Serbian forces out of the province in 1999. The constitution creates foreign and defence ministries, as well as a security force, constitutional court and intelligence agency.