U.S. notes Kosovo has declared independence

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Sunday it notes that Kosovo has declared independence and welcomed its government's commitment to implement United Nations provisions to protect ethnic minority communities.

In a statement that stopped short of recognizing Kosovo's independence from Serbia, the State Department said: "The United States is now reviewing the issue and discussing the matter with its European partners. We expect to issue a statement shortly."

It called on all parties to "exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any provocative act."

Serbia condemned Kosovo as a false state after the mainly ethnic Albanian province declared independence on Sunday.

The State Department said the United States welcomed the Kosovo's government's clear commitment to implement provisions of the plan developed by U.N. special envoy Martti Ahtisaari to protect ethnic minority communities.

The United States has long believed that the Ahtisaari plan is the best way to promote regional stability, the State Department said.

"The United States will remain steadfast in its support for the rights of all ethnic and religious communities in Kosovo," it said.

Sen. Joseph Biden, a Delaware Democrat and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he welcomed the independent country of Kosovo and said he would soon ask his colleagues to join him in "expressing the Senate's support for Kosovo's independent status."

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton urged recognition of an independent Kosovo. Sen. Barack Obama, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, said he hoped the Kosovo government and people would ensure Kosovo becomes a positive example of democratic governance and rule of the law.

(Reporting by Rachelle Younglai; editing by Mohammad Zargham)