The EU is not united on the issue - Spain and Greece are among five of its 27 members to be opposed.

Serbia still regards Kosovo as
christian louboutin sale MBT shoes replica balenciaga handbags Replica Hermes Handbags Replica Chanel Handbags Chanel Replica Handbags Christian Louboutin Shoes Wholesale Replica Handbags http://www.yabags.com   part of its territory and challenged its legality at the ICJ at The Hague.

At the start of the deliberations last December, Serbia's representatives argued that the move both challenged its sovereignty and undermined international law.

Kosovo's representatives meanwhile warned that any attempt to reverse its independence might spark further conflict.
'Moment of truth'

Although non-binding, the court's ruling will provide a framework for diplomats to try to establish a working relationship between Serbia and Kosovo.

The dispute remains an obstacle to Serbia's hopes of joining the EU, and has hindered Kosovo's ability to attract foreign investment. Parts of northern Kosovo also remain tensely divided between ethnic Albanians and Serbs, and clashes occasionally erupt.
map

The ruling will also be closely watched by several other countries facing secessionist challenges themselves, such as China and Spain.

"The first and foremost consideration for any democratic government in the world is the preservation of its own sovereignty and territorial integrity," Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told the BBC.

"We do expect that the court is not going to endorse the legality of the unilateral act of secession, because if they do so then no border anywhere in the world where a secessionist ambition is harboured will ever be safe."

During a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in Washington on Wednesday, US Vice-President Joe Biden "reaffirmed the United States' full support for an independent, democratic, whole, and multi-ethnic Kosovo whose future lies firmly within European and Euro-Atlantic institutions", the White House said in a statement.

Mr Biden also "reiterated the United States' firm support for Kosovo's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it added.

A senior US official told reporters that it was confident the ICJ would rule in favour of Kosovo's declaration of independence.

The BBC's Mark Lowen in Belgrade says Serbia has called this "the moment of truth", and whatever the outcome it will be historic - the first time the ICJ has ruled on a case of territorial secession.

Since his retirement as archbishop of Cape Town in 1996, as well as his work with the Elders, the cleric has launched his own peace foundation, advised world leaders and played an active role as a public speaker.

Archbishop Tutu spoke at several events during the recent football World Cup in South Africa, which he described as one of the most important events in South Africa since the end of apartheid.