Serbian ppposition leader: 'I'll not eat until election is called'

Serbia's nationalist opposition leader has said he will continue his hunger strike until the government agrees to an early election.

"I'm ready to continue with my strike as long as it's necessary for Serbia to become a normal country," Tomislav Nikolic said yesterday at a private Belgrade clinic where his health is being monitored.

Serbia's interior minister, Ivica Dacic, called for talks, warning of a possible "serious violation of political stability in Serbia" if something happened to Mr Nikolic.

The opposition leader is refusing food and water, and doctors have said his health is deteriorating. He started his hunger strike on Saturday after a protest rally of 50,000 supporters demanding an early election over economic problems and alleged corruption.