Belgrade - The Serbian parliament on Tuesday passed new procedural rules in an attempt to end a stalemate that has resulted in a huge legislative backlog.

The new rules limit the time for debate on amendments the opposition proposes on bills and cuts the potential for delaying tactics of the sort that have effectively stalled the parliament since May 2008.

The measures also introduced a mandatory monthly session wherein parliamentarians will be able to pose questions to the prime minister and his cabinet.

The new rules were passed in a vote largely boycotted by the opposition, following a week-long, heated debate marred by insults and even a fistfight among deputies. (dpa)