THE HAGUE - U.N. war crimes prosecutors said on Monday they have asked the Hague court to confirm a third indictment against Slobodan Milosevic -- including the gravest charge of genocide -- for alleged atrocities in Bosnia.

The former Yugoslav leader already faces two indictments accusing him of crimes against humanity for alleged atrocities carried out by Serb forces in Kosovo in 1999 and in Croatia between 1991-92.

The ex-communist functionary turned Serb nationalist leader, who was handed over to the tribunal in June, is accused of spearheading "ethnic cleansing" during the bloody break up of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990's.

Once judges confirm an indictment it becomes official and the accused is called before the court to hear the charges and enter a plea. Milosevic declined to enter a plea to the first two indictments. A "not guilty" plea was entered on his behalf by the court. Nampa-Reuters