Observers say Kosovo appears set to declare independence in 10 days' time, just ahead of a meeting of European Union (EU) foreign ministers.

The authorities were "awaiting the green light from the West and consider the weekend before the EU meeting as the most probable date," a source close to the Kosovo Government said.

The EU meeting on February 18 could approve the start of the deployment of a mission charged with supervising the initial phase of independence for the Albanian-majority southern province of Serbia.

"We are assuming [February] 17th or 18th," said a source close to the United Nations, which has run Kosovo since the end of its 1998-1999 war.

A US diplomat said independence was likely to be proclaimed on a Sunday, when the UN Security Council does not meet.

Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council, where it has warned it will use its veto powers to block any such declaration in support of its ally Serbia, which staunchly opposes Kosovo independence.

- AFP