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[Global Network reporter Zhang Xiaoya] According to reports from the Associated Press and Reuters, a large-scale protest took place in Serbia on the 10th local time, with thousands of protesters gathering in the center of the capital Belgrade to oppose a lithium mining project in the west of the country. Reuters said that Serbian government officials said the protest was politically motivated. Serbian President Vucic said on the 9th that he had received a warning from Russia that someone in Serbia was planning a coup.

Serbian President Vucic profile picture from Russia Today (RT)

The above media reported that protesters waved Serbian flags and chanted slogans such as "No mining" on the streets on the 10th. Reuters mentioned that Serbian government officials said that the protest was politically motivated and aimed at overthrowing the country's President Vucic and his government.

"We have reason to be vigilant," Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin told Serbia's Yugoslav News Agency on the 10th.

At the same time, the report also mentioned that Vucic said on the 9th that Serbia had received intelligence from Russia that someone was planning a coup in Serbia.

Serbian media quoted Vucic as saying: "We have received official information from Russia, and the information was delivered through official channels. We are handling this matter. Security and information authorities and experts in this field are working on it." Vucic also said that "dreamers" would not be able to accomplish this and the public need not worry.

According to Reuters, the controversial lithium mine project costs US$2.4 billion. Once successfully implemented, it can meet 90% of Europe's current lithium demand and make the miner, global mining giant Rio Tinto, one of the world's leading lithium producers.

The report also said that on July 19, Vucic, German Chancellor Scholz and EU Energy Commissioner Sefcovic signed an agreement to allow producers in EU member states to access raw materials including lithium mined in Serbia. The agreement aims to reduce the EU's dependence on imports from the United States and Asia. Serbian government officials said lithium mining will boost Serbia's economy.