President George W Bush has become the first US leader to visit Albania, where he has enjoyed a hero's welcome.

The Balkan country is a staunch ally in America's "war on terror", and Mr Bush met Albanian soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Bush reiterated his support for the UN plan for Kosovo's independence, adding it was time to "get moving" despite opposition from Russia.

He expressed worry about the effect on Kosovans of expectations not being met.

"The question is whether there's going to be endless dialogue on a subject that we've already made up our mind on," he said, after meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

"We need to get moving and the end result is independence," he added.

He also called on the Albanian government to help maintain calm and peace in Kosovo, most of whose people are ethnic Albanians.

The G8 failed to reach consensus on Kosovo this week, with strong opposition from Russia to the independence blueprint laid out by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in April.

Stamps issued

Mr Bush's week-long European tour has already taken him to the G8 summit in Germany, as well as the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy.

The Albanian capital, Tirana, is celebrating Mr Bush's visit, although he is spending just seven hours in the city, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale, who is traveling with the US president.

The city's streets have been cleaned, US flags draped over buildings and a commemorative set of stamps issued for the occasion.

This welcome is in stark contrast to the protests that have followed Mr Bush elsewhere in Europe, BBC correspondent says.

Mr Bush will then fly on to Bulgaria, a new Nato member, where protests are also expected.

'Freedom agenda'

Albanian government spokesman Grid Roy said he hoped the visit would help the country's push to become a member of Nato and the European Union.

"Ninety-four percent of Albanians support integration [into Nato and the EU], so that's the primary goal of this government," Mr Roy said. "This visit only makes that easier."

Mr Bush will also meet the prime ministers of Croatia and Macedonia during his stay in Tirana.

Albania backs the US-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. It has tripled its troop numbers in Afghanistan to 140, and has about 120 troops in Iraq.

Thousands of protesters, most of them peaceful, marched in Rome in protest against Mr Bush's visit to Italy on Saturday.

Italian riot police used tear gas against some demonstrators who donned face masks in defiance of a police order and threw bottles.

Earlier on Saturday, Mr Bush had his first audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

PHOTO CAPTION

Albanians wear Uncle Sam hats to greet president Bush