Serbian Opposition Leader Takes Water

Serbian opposition leader Tomislav Nikolic, who is on hunger strike

Doctors say Serbia's main opposition leader, who has been refusing food and water since April 16 while demanding early elections, has started drinking water today but still won't take food.

Doctors said that Tomislav Nikolic, the head of the Serbian Progressive Party, agreed to drink water following an appeal by the head of Serbia's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej.

Nikolic's nationalists say an early election is needed because of a deepening economic crisis and widespread corruption.

The government has said elections will be called after Serbia's EU candidacy is decided in the autumn.

compiled from agency reports