Opposition in Kosovo parliament releases tear gas in a bid to stop vote

Kosovo's parliament in a stormy session has ratified the long delayed border agreement with Montenegro, which both the EU and US have repeatedly pushed for.

The opposition Vetevendosje party had held up the vote on the deal, which they regard as a sell-out, releasing tear gas four times during the day and police arrested dozens of lawmakers.

MPs from the opposition Vetevendosje movement set off tear gas four times in the Assembly, in an attempt to prevent the vote.

Farcical scenes in Kosovo, as politicians tear-gassed their own parliament twice, in an effort to delay a vote on border law. Astonishingly, it’s not the first occurrence – tear gas was used in 2015 & 2016 by the same party. For the record, the vote passed 80-11. #TenNews pic.twitter.com/JK19dnQHqX

— TEN Eyewitness News (@channeltennews) March 22, 2018

A total of 13 MPs have been banned from the Assembly session for aiding attempts to set off tear gas in the hall, five of them from Vetevendosje.

The vote went ahead at the fifth attempt with 80 representatives voting in favour and 11 against in the 120-seat parliament.

"We have accomplished the main criteria," parliament's speaker Kadri Veseli said.

Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj welcomed the vote.

"Kosovo now waits for the EU to do its part, as it was promised, so that finally Kosovo citizens can freely travel to the EU as other Europeans," Haradinaj said in a statement.