Serbia's president has vowed a "strong" response to anti-government protests after nearly a week of violent clashes involving his supporters, police and demonstrators across the country.
Clashes erupted in the capital, Belgrade, and other cities for five nights in a row where fireworks, stones, stun grenades and tear gas were used.
At a press conference in Belgrade, President Aleksandar Vučić said more than 130 police officers have been injured so far, with dozens of citizens also reporting injuries and seeking medical assistance.
Violence flared in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Valjevo yesterday, where a small group of masked men attacked and set fire to the empty offices of Mr Vučić's ruling Serbian Progressive Party.
"You will see the full determination of the Serbian state," the president said, adding: "We will use everything at our disposal to restore law, peace and order".
He added the government needed a few days to prepare "the legal and formal framework" for the response.
"It will be very different from what you have seen so far," he added, without disclosing details.
But Mr Vučić said that declaring a state of emergency was not being considered.
He compared anti-government protesters with "terrorists" - a term he has frequently repeated since mass demonstrations began late last year.
Almost daily protests have happened in Serbia since November following the collapse of a railway station roof that killed 16 people.
The incident became a symbol of deep-rooted corruption in the Balkan nation, with demands for a transparent investigation growing into calls for early elections.
At their peak, the protests drew hundreds of thousands onto the streets.
The mostly peaceful demonstrations deteriorated earlier this week when large groups of pro-government supporters - many masked and some armed with batons and fireworks - attacked protesters.
That sparked violent clashes, which were further fueled by videos shared online showing police striking unarmed demonstrators with batons.
Police have denied allegations of brutality and accused demonstrators of attacking officers.
European Union's commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos earlier this week said violence reported at protests was "deeply concerning".
Mr Vučić said he had also received personal messages from other European officials recently, but did not provide further details.
The protests were also being followed in Russia, which remains a close Serbian ally despite Belgrade's declared path to the EU.
Russia's foreign ministry issued a statement on Friday saying that it may offer further support to Mr Vučić.
It described the protests as "violent riots".
"Russia cannot remain unresponsive to what is happening in brotherly Serbia," it said.
While the protests have so far led to the resignation of the prime minister and the collapse of the government, Mr Vučić has remained defiant.
He has repeatedly rejected calls for early elections and denounced the demonstrations as part of a foreign plot to overthrow him, claiming that "billions of euros" had allegedly been invested in the scheme.
Accreditation: AFP
