Serbian authorities have "officially informed the Kosovo organs" that Kosovo Deputy PM Hashim Thaci will be arrested if he travels to Belgrade on April 24.

The Beta news agency is reporting this on Monday quoting a source, noting that Thaci was told he would be arrested based on a valid court verdict, and an arrest warrant stemming from the ruling.

Thaci, a former leader of the now disbanded KLA, was charged with terrorism, put on trial in absentia and according to Beta, in 1997 sentenced to ten years in prison.

The same source was quoted as telling the agency that Belgrade's liaison officer in Pristina on Sunday received an official request of the Kosovo organs for Thaci to be allowed to attend a Belgrade conference that will be organized by the Youth Education Committee NGO.

Based on an agreement regulating visits of officials, Pristina today received Belgrade's official reply that Thaci will be arrested if he comes here.

Earlier in the day, Thaci's deputy Petrit Selimi said there was still no response from Belgrade.