Serbia to negate Kosovo passport stamps

BELGRADE, Serbia, July 17 (UPI) -- Serbian officials have asked the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs not to recognize Kosovo stamps on passports of people traveling to Serbia from Kosovo.

Officials demanded that the ministry put a line through the stamp on foreigners' passports if they are trying to travel from Kosovo to Serbia, Beta reported Thursday.

The ministry was also ordered to place a Republic of Serbia border stamp alongside the crossed-out stamp, the report said.

Serbia has refused to recognize Kosovo's independence since it was declared by Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in February.