KFOR Increases Presence on Bridge on Iber Creates also cordon

Peacekeeping Mission NATO in Kosovo, KFOR has increased its presence on the main bridge over the Iber River on August 31st.

On this bridge, which divides inhabited South Mitrovica with Albanians, with Serb-run North, except for cars, a cordon of KFOR members has been seen.

Free Europe Radio has asked KFOR why it has increased its presence on the bridge, but no response has been given from this mission.

The increase in presence on this bridge comes a day after Kosovo authorities closed five parallel Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo.

The event has been criticised by the international community, which has called on the Kosovo government not to take unilateral and uncoordinated action.

The Kosovo executive has also faced recent criticism from the international community because he has expressed his intention to open the bridge over Iber to circulation.

The United States, the European Union and KFOR have expressed themselves against the opening of the bridge now. KFOR and the EU have demanded that this issue be addressed in Brussels' dialogue.

Peacekeeping Mission NATO in Kosovo has also warned several times it will not hesitate to act to respond to security-related developments.

KFOR has permanent presence on the bridge over the Iber River. /rel

EU Office reacts: We are disappointed with the lack of co-ordination, our calls are being ignored by the government.