Pristina [Kosovo], June 1: Renewed protests by members of Kosovo's Serbian minority erupted in the north of the country on Wednesday, with participants in rallies in Zvecan, Leposavic and ZubinPotok calling for police and local mayors to be withdrawn.
The situation remained calm, the koha.net news portal reported. Kosovo, whose population is overwhelmingly Albanian, declared independence in 2008. Its independence is not recognized by Serbia, or by Russia, Greece or Spain.
The United States and most European Union member states have recognized Kosovo.
Serious clashes between militant Serbs and troops of the NATO-led KFOR unit in Zvecan on Monday led to 30 KFOR soldiers and 50 Serbs being injured.
NATO has announced plans to deploy an additional 700 troops to support the 3,800 troops already in the country. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for calm.
On Friday, militant Serbs attacked the Kosovan police in Zvecan, who escorted the ethnic Albanian mayor as he was installed.
Speaking to broadcaster CNN, Prime Minister AlbinKurti blamed "a mob of extremist ultranationalist right-wingers who are being paid by Belgrade" for the disturbances.
While the new mayors appointed lacked full democratic legitimacy, as the elections had been boycotted by Serbs in the region, the government in Pristina had to ensure order, he said.
"I need to have police who defend the rule of law, who keep order, peace and security," Kurti said.
Source: Qatar Tribune
