Serbian minister withdraws 'ethnic cleansing' claim

A Serbian cabinet minister has withdrawn her controversial Kosovo remarks, stating she should have used the word "deportation" instead of "ethnic cleansing."

Local Government Minister Snezhana Paunovic changed her rhetoric following fierce diplomatic protests from Albania and Kosovo.

Speaking on Serbian television, Ms Paunovic admitted the phrase was a mistake, but claimed the term was triggered by her own wartime memories.

She flatly rejected calls to step down, insisting she will only leave her post if the Serbian public demands it.

Instead of apologising, the minister launched a fresh verbal attack on Kosovo’s interior minister, Xhelal Svecla.

She branded Mr Svecla a terrorist, accusing the former guerrilla fighter of wartime kidnappings and organ trafficking during the 1990s conflict.