Kosovo parliament hit by fresh tear-gas protest Published duration 14 December 2015

image copyright AFP image caption MPs were forced to move to a side room to vote on next year's budget

Protesting opposition MPs in Kosovo have released tear gas in parliament for the sixth time in just over two months, disrupting a vote on the government's 2016 budget.

Outside, opposition supporters threw stones and smashed windows before they were dispersed by riot police.

Protesters have been trying to disrupt parliament over an EU-brokered deal to improve relations with Serbia.

Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia in 2008.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, on a visit to the capital, Pristina, earlier this month, called for an end to violent scenes in parliament, saying it was "not the place for tear gas and... not the place for intimidation".

However, opposition MPs released gas canisters again in the parliamentary chamber on Monday, forcing a suspension of proceedings.

image copyright AFP image caption Plainclothes police officers donned masks as the tear gas was released

A large group of plainclothes police officers donned gas masks as the chamber was cleared.

One of the MPs who released the gas, Glauk Konjufca, said it was "a collective action by the opposition".

"Others have done this too, and we will continue to do this in the future. Our breaching of the law is nothing compared to the damage that is being done by these agreements."

The opposition is particularly opposed to a deal to give more autonomy to Kosovo's ethnic Serb minority, which they say could increase Serbia's influence.

The vote on next year's €1.67bn (£1.1bn) budget resumed in a side room, with only MPs from the governing coalition present and was approved, Reuters news agency reported.

The US ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, condemned the disorder, saying it was "very disappointing" that Mr Kerry's calls had gone unheeded.

Tear gas timeline

image copyright Reuters

25 August: Kosovo and Serbia sign landmark deal brokered by EU

Kosovo and Serbia sign landmark deal brokered by EU 8 October: Two MPs faint as tear gas let off in national assembly - opposition leader Albin Kurti blamed

Two MPs faint as tear gas let off in national assembly - opposition leader Albin Kurti blamed 12 October: Protesters clash with police after Albin Kurti arrested - he is later released

Protesters clash with police after Albin Kurti arrested - he is later released 15 October: Tear gas let off a second time in parliament

Tear gas let off a second time in parliament 23 October: Tear gas let off twice in a matter of hours as opposition seek to cancel Serbia deal

Tear gas let off twice in a matter of hours as opposition seek to cancel Serbia deal 17-18 November: Tear gas and pepper spray are let off in parliament, prompting police raid on Albin Kurti's flat and violent protests

Tear gas and pepper spray are let off in parliament, prompting police raid on Albin Kurti's flat and violent protests 30 November: Opposition MPs are arrested as tear gas fills parliament for a fifth time

Opposition MPs are arrested as tear gas fills parliament for a fifth time 14 December: Tear gas released during vote on 2016 budget