I do not think this will help bring stability to our country or stability to the region, nor will it restore our people's confidence in the international community

Vojislav Kostunica

He was responding to news that prosecutors are investigating the chief of staff of the Yugoslav army, Nebojsa Pavkovic, and Serbia's police chief Sreten Lukic, along with other officers over alleged atrocities in Kosovo in 1999.

"The [tribunal] announcement that it had opened investigations of Yugoslav army officers and of Serbian police can only threaten the stability of the country at a time when it is most needed," said Mr Kostunica.

Journalists said he was visibly angry.

Mr Pavkovic was the commander of the Yugoslav Third Army, which was operating in Kosovo during the conflict, while Mr Lukic was the head of Serbian police in the province at the time.

Both were promoted to their current posts after the conflict.

The tribunal's deputy prosecutor, Graham Blewitt, said on Thursday: "We have one investigation into the activities of the Serb forces in Kosovo. The roles individuals played in that is part of the investigation,"

These people defended their country during the Nato bombing

Vojislav Kostunica

"It does not necessarily mean they are being pursued with the aim of indicting them," he added.

Unease

Milosevic promoted Pavkovic after Kosovo war

Many Serbs are angry about their government's co-operation with the Hague tribunal.

President Kostunica was not alone in offering words of support for the two men under investigation.

"These people defended their country during the Nato bombing. If we raise questions in this matter, then there will be grounds to raise the issue of responsibility for the Nato bombings of Yugoslavia," he said.

The Serbian Interior Ministry separately issued a statement saying there was plenty of evidence that Mr Lukic acted professionally and according to the law and rules of conduct in Kosovo conflict.

Earlier this week, Mr Kostunica promised that draft legislation would be submitted to the Yugoslav parliament before the end of the year laying down the legal basis for co-operation with the Hague tribunal.

But he stressed there still were some disagreements on the issue, and asked for more understanding and patience.