A former guerrilla commander accused by Serbia of war crimes is on course to become Kosovo’s prime minister following general elections in the Balkans country.

Results from Sunday’s election showed that a broad coalition, dubbed the “war wing” because of its association with former guerrillas from the 1998-99 Kosovo-Serbia war, had over 34 per cent after 91 per cent of the votes had been counted on Monday.

Ramush Haradinaj, the centre-right coalition’s candidate for prime minister, is wanted by Belgrade for war crimes allegedly committed during the war, and earlier this year tried to have him extradited to face trial.

If the results stand and Mr Haradinaj becomes prime minister it could further strain relations with Russian-backed Serbia.

Belgrade still refuses to recognise its former province as an independent state, and the presence and status of a Serb minority in Kosovo has been a constant source of friction between the two foes.