New York, September 18 - The UN Security Council and Secretary-General Kofi Annan gave their full support to the Yugoslav government's programme for solving the crisis in Kosovo.

Following his meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, head of the Yugoslav delegation, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic, took part in a UN Security Council session held late Monday.

The session was also attended by Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo Hans Haekkerup. The closed-door session was held under tight security due to the current situation in New York following last Tuesday's terrorist attacks.

Security Council President Jean-David Levitte told the press that the November 17 elections in Kosovo would be an important stage in the implementation of UNMIK's mandate, adding that the elections would further the democratic process in Kosovo.

Members of the Council welcomed the support offered by Belgrade for registration of the Serb minority in Kosovo, pointing to the importance of participation in the elections by all communities.

The return of refugees and displaced persons and their participation in elections should be encouraged. All possible measures should be taken by all concerned in that regard. The participation of Kosovo Serbs will allow for the fullest representation of views.

Members of the Council also acknowledged the need to continue to improve security and law enforcement in Kosovo. They welcomed the adoption of key legislation to combat organized crime, illegal weapons possession and terrorism, as well as stepped-up efforts by KFOR to strictly control borders.

The UN Security Council called on local leaders in Kosovo to reject all forms of violence, condemn extremism, promote stability and security, inter-ethnic reconciliation, and support for the full and effective implementation of resolution 1244.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic told the press the session was constructive and described it as an opportunity for him and UNMIK head Hans Haekkerup to present their views on the situation in Kosovo.

Covic said he was pleased that the Yugoslav delegation was given support to cooperate with the UN in solving the problems in Kosovo.

"The session focused on speeding up the return of Serbs to Kosovo and Metohija and the process of solving the issue of missing persons. The Security Council members also pointed to the necessity of providing a higher level of security and freedom of movement in Kosovo", Covic said.

According to Covic, the session also touched on the establishment of independent judiciary in Kosovo and the situation in Kosovska Mitrovica. "We assessed that the current situation in Mitrovica was a result of a series of unsolved problems in the province", Covic added.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with the Yugoslav delegation prior to the Security Council session and gave support to Yugoslavia's policy on solving Kosovo's problems in cooperation with the international community.