Newly elected Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci claps at a session of the Kosovo parliament in Pristina Jan. 9, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BELGRADE, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- A new Kosovo government headed by ethnic Albanian Hashim Thaci was approved by the region's parliament Wednesday night, with the prime minister vowing to declare independence within weeks.

    Out of the parliament's 120 representatives, 85 voted for Thaci's government while 22 against, the Beta news agency reported.

    Hajredin Kuqi of Thaci's Democratic Party of Kosovo and Rame Manaj of the Democratic League of Kosovo were appointed deputy prime ministers.

    Addressing the parliament, Thaci said Kosovo is at a historical crossroad and Kosovo is ready to realize its independence.

    "I assure you that within a few weeks, we will declare independence," Thaci told reporters, fanning speculations that Kosovo will break away from Serbia in February or March.

    "Kosovo's independence is a done deal. We just need to declare it," he said after the approval of his coalition government.

    Kosovo's 2 million Albanians, who account for about 90 percent of the province's population, are banking on the West to achieve its independence.

    Thaci warned that Kosovo's future status can not resolve the numerous problems that Kosovo citizens are facing today or will face in the future.

    Speaking in Serbian, Thaci said he will do everything to make Kosovo a home, where all will feel free and equal.

    Kosovo has been run by the UN administration since NATO bombing drove the Serbian forces out of the ethnic Albanian dominated province in 1999.

    Following failed talks between Belgrade and Pristina on the future status of the province, Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders have pledged to unilaterally declare independence in early 2008, but the move is unlikely before Jan. 20, the date for presidential elections in Serbia.

    The United States and a number of European countries are expected to recognize Kosovo's independence, but Serbia and its ally Russia said they would oppose any such moves.