US condemns violent incidents in northern Kosovo

The United States condemns the recent violent incidents in northern Kosovo, a State Department spokesman for the Serbian Voice of America's service said.

State Department spokesman comments follow incidents of violence in northern Kosovo, where a police officer was easily injured in a gun attack. Tensions in Kosovo's north increased with the approaching date for holding early elections in the four municipalities in the country's north.

During the week, groups of Serbian citizens prevented the opening of municipal election commission offices while police reported shooting and blasting, but without damage to people.

“The use of explosives is never an acceptable method of protest and risks the lives of innocent people”, the State Department spokesman told the Voice of America, adding that the UN “continues to urge Kosovo and Serbia to exercise restraint and avoid any actions or statements that would further escalate tensions. ”

Increasing tensions in northern Kosovo have called into question holding elections on December 18th, and authorities have left open the possibility of delaying them, which has also been demanded by Western diplomats.

The elections were announced after Serbian representatives left Kosovo institutions amid disagreements over the use of car plates issued by Serbia.

The electoral process is being boycotted by the Serb List, which is the main subject of Kosovo Serbs who have Belgrade's backing and held power in all Serb majority municipalities.