Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic appeared before the UN war crimes tribunal to be formally charged with crime against humanity on Tuesday.

Milosevic -- the first head of state to face trial in The Hague -- did not have legal representation, having said he did not recognise the authority of the tribunal.

He told the tribunal: "I consider this tribunal false and the indictment false. It is illegal so I have no need of counsel."

In Belgrade up to 15,000 supporters gathered to protest his transfer outside the federal government buildings.

Ignoring a ban on the gathering the participants, mainly members of Milosevic's Socialist Party and the ultra-nationalist Radical Party listened to speeches and nationalist songs.

(Chinadaily.com.cn 07/03/2001)