Panel Concedes Belgrade To Opposition

BELGRADE: After more than two months of near-constant protests, Belgrade's electoral commission conceded Tuesday that opposition parties had indeed won control of the municipal government. The reversal means that Belgrade may soon have an opposition mayor and marks the most significant victory yet for the protesters who have gathered daily in Belgrade since courts controlled by Serb President Slobodan Milosevic annulled November 17 municipal elections in 14 cities and towns. Milosevic has been weakened by the protests, which have prompted factional disarray in his besieged government. The Serb leader is expected to shake up both his party and his administration to reconsolidate power.