(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, SEP 17 - Tensions mounted in Belgrade as LGBTQ activists vowed to stage a EuroPride march Saturday in the Serbian capital despite a government ban. The event had been intended as the cornerstone event of the EuroPride gathering.

But the interior ministry banned the march earlier this week, citing security concerns after right wing groups threatened to hold protests. The Balkan country, a candidate for EU membership, had been under intense international pressure to allow the march. More than 20 embassies -- including the US, France and Britain -- have issued a joint statement urging the authorities to lift the ban. Gay marriage is not legally recognised in Serbia, where homophobia remains deep-seated despite some progress over the years in reducing discrimination.

"We, as activists, will use our democratic right to civil disobedience and will protest," the Belgrade Pride organisers said Saturday, after a court rejected their appeal to overturn the ban. The interior ministry had also barred any counter protests but some far-right groups have vowed to rally and gather in front of churches. (ANSA-AFP).