Members of the U.S. Congress say the leaders of newly-independent Kosovo, as well as the country's Serbian minority and the government in Serbia, must work to ensure ethnic tolerance and protection.

Lawmakers are concerned both that the Kosovo government follows through with commitments it has made to protect ethnic minorities, and that Serbia pursue a course that will not encourage unrest.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said recognition of Kosovo was an exception to the rule of discouraging secession.

He described Kosovo's leadership as focused on building its new country, and committed to protecting Serbian rights. "I can report to you that the Kosovo leaders with whom I met conveyed to me their intention to see that U.N. special envoy on Kosovo Martti Ahtissari's provisions, including the rights and privileges for the Serb community in Kosovo, are respected," he said.

Fried said U.S. and international financial support for Kosovo's economy will be crucial adding that ensuring peace in the new country will be, in his words, a long term challenge.

He said he has no reason to believe that Serbs will engage in what he called the most provocative behaviors, adding the hope that the parliamentary election campaign in Serbia will be about its future in Europe rather than self-isolation, the VOA reports.