Belgrade  - Serbia decided Thursday to extend its May 11 local elections to parts of Kosovo, defying major powers and United Nations administrators who say the plan is illegal.

Belgrade plans to hold the vote in municipalities of northern Kosovo with a Serb majority at the same time as early parliamentary elections in Serbia.

"The decision was made unanimously. Elections will be held in Kosovo," Commerce Minister Predrag Bubalo said after a cabinet meeting.

Kosovo and its 90 per cent Albanian majority declared independence from Serbia in February. More than 30 nations, including many leading Western nations, have recognized the new country.

Serbia, backed by Russia, refuses to accept Kosovo's independence and has withdrawn its ambassadors from capitals that did.

The UN administration in Kosovo and nations in the Contact Group - United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Russia - said Wednesday that Serbian local elections in Kosovo are unacceptable. (dpa)