United States reopens ransacked Belgrade embassy

The U.S. flag is seen on the front of the damaged facade of the American embassy in Belgrade February 26, 2008.

BELGRADE (Reuters) - The consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade will re-open to the public on Tuesday, the embassy said in a statement on Monday.

It said repairs had been completed to sections damaged by Serb nationalist protesters on February 21, when a mob angered by Washington's recognition of Kosovo independence broke in and set fire to a part of the building.

One protester was trapped in the fire and killed. The extensive damage forced the closure of the consular section for over a month, forcing visa applicants to travel to Croatia for interviews.

The U.S. Department of State has also authorized the return of all family members and non-essential American staff who were ordered to depart Serbia on February 22nd, the statement said.

(Editing by Keith Weir)