Podgorica, Montenegro - The Montenegrin government was set to extend a 40 million-euro (50.8 million-dollar) bailout loan to a local bank controlled by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's family, reports said Monday.

The decision to pump in cash and keep the Podgorica-based Prva Bank liquid would be formally made during the week, the daily Vijesti said.

The loan was being prepared under the rules laid out amid the global financial troubles. Authorities would have direct control over the bank's activities and shareholders would have to collateral their capital to the state.

Podgorica - Montenegrin police used teargas in the capital Podgorica Monday evening to disperse pro-Belgrade demonstrators demanding their government revoke its recognition of Serbia's breakaway province Kosovo.

Several thousand people showed up for the rally called by four pro- Serbian opposition parties. The protest turned violent when demonstrators began hurling rocks at police guarding the assembly in downtown Podgorica. Several people were reported injured.

Podgorica - Montenegro on Thursday formally recognized the independence of the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo, Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rochen reported in the capital Podgorica.

With the unanimous decision by the government, Montenegro became the 50th state to recognize the mostly ethnic Albanian republic.

The US, Japan and nearly all EU states have already recognized Kosovo's independence.

Montenegro and Serbia was part of a common state until two years ago when a referendum to split the two entities was implemented.

Budva, Montenegro - Montenegro has ambitious plans to be a holiday destination for Europe and Asia's richest tourists, given the undisputed beauty of its mountains and coastline, but the West Balkan country may have flopped this year through poor services and neglect.

A badly laid water main ruptures in Montenegro's top Adriatic resort of Becici, sweeping across much of the sandy beach and irritating visitors by severely muddying the clear blue sea.

Podgorica, Montenegro  - Voting began Sunday in the Montenegrin presidential election, in which the incumbent Filip Vujanovic is expected to easily win another term in the office