THE International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled today that neither Serbia nor Croatia committed genocide during the bloody 1990s break-up of Yugoslavia.

The ruling stipulated that Serb forces had committed widespread crimes in Croatia early in the war but these did not amount to genocide.

The 17-judge panel then ruled that a 1995 Croat offensive to win back territory from Serbs also featured serious crimes but did not reach the level of genocide.

Fighting in Croatia from 1991-95 left about 10,000 people dead and forced millions from their homes.

Croatia brought the case to the world court in 1999, asking judges to order Belgrade to pay compensation.

Serbia later filed a counterclaim alleging genocide by Croat forces during the 1995 Operation Storm military campaign.

Rejecting both cases, court president Peter Tomka stressed that many crimes happened during the war and urged Belgrade and Zagreb to work together toward a lasting reconciliation.

Both countries expressed disappointment that the court had rejected their claims while agreeing it is time to move on.

“We are not happy but we accept the ruling in a civilised manner. It has been more than 20 years. Croatia is now a member of the European Union and can build its future,” said Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said that the court had “reversed some usual stereotypes” that Serbs were the only culprits for the war.

“Despite the injustice, an encouraging step has been made,” he said.

Decisions by the International Court of Justice are final and legally binding.