Traffic in Belgrade paralyzed by thousands of protesters

The protesters are carrying Serbian flags, using drums, vuvuzelas and whistles

Traffic is paralyzed in most parts of Serbia’s Belgrade as thousands of demonstrators arrive in the city centre.

Thousands of student demonstrators continue to arrive from different parts of Belgrade. The protesters are carrying Serbian flags, using drums, vuvuzelas and whistles.

Police forces are deployed along the march route, and foot policemen are also among the demonstrators.

The March 15 protest rally involves blocking key points in the capital. According to the plan published on social media, the blockades of major highway interchanges began by noon, with the rally scheduled to culminate at 4:00 p.m GMT.

The Tanjug news agency reported, citing a source in the city administration, that public transport in Belgrade was halted for the rest of the day amid the protests.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic vowed that the country’s leaders would manage to maintain peace and stability under pressure from the protesters.

“I believe that the majority of Serbians want to build a better and more successful country. I am convinced that even today we will withstand all pressures, all attacks, and I believe that we will be able to maintain peace and stability and then build and win in the future, just as we raised Serbia from the ashes 13 years ago to then take it to unprecedented heights and become the fastest growing economy in Europe. Serbia must not stop. Long live Serbia!” Vucic said.