Kidman kicks off Kosovo tour

Nicole Kidman has pledged to be a "voice" for the population of former war zone Kosovo, after kicking off a two-day tour in the province on Saturday.

The actress arrived in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, as a United Nations (UN) goodwill ambassador, and promised to do her utmost to help the troubled area recover from conflict.

At a welcome reception she said: "I'm here… to learn so that I can help your country at this crucial, crucial time for the future. To meet people, hear their stories and educate myself, and I suppose be a voice for you if you need it."

Kidman was named goodwill ambassador of the UN Development Fund for Women, or UNIFEM, in January (06), and the visit is her first assignment in that role.

Kosovo, which officially remains part of Serbia, has been run by a UN mission since mid-1999.