"Kosovo situation very alarming"

This week's stabbing of a Serb boy, and the arrest of the Gnjilane Group have added turbulence to Kosovo's poor security situation, an expert warns. Military analyst Zoran Dragisic told B92 TV in Belgrade on Saturday that the latest string of incidents, including last night's explosions, could cause more violence unless measures to calm the situation are undertaken urgently. "Kosovo situation very alarming" "If we go back ten days we'll see a series of various incidents, and certainly the arrest of the Gnjilane Group and everything that ensued – demonstrations and protests – have additionally complicated the situation." "We have incidents, not only in northern Kosovska Mitrovica but also in the Kosovo Pomoravlje region where shots were fired at a home of a humanitarian organization's president," Dragisic said. "At this point," he concluded, "the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, especially in northern Kosovska Mitrovica, can be appraised as very alarming, unless something is done urgently." Also today, Beta news agency reports from Pristina, KFOR and EULEX announced that they will step up their presence in northern Kosovo and in Kosovska Mitrovica, calling at the same time on residents to remain calm and cease with all acts of violence. EULEX will continue to patrol and implement its mandate, that includes leading, monitoring and advising the local authorities, a statement said.

"Kosovo situation very alarming"

"If we go back ten days we'll see a series of various incidents, and certainly the arrest of the Gnjilane Group and everything that ensued – demonstrations and protests – have additionally complicated the situation."

"We have incidents, not only in northern Kosovska Mitrovica but also in the Kosovo Pomoravlje region where shots were fired at a home of a humanitarian organization's president," Dragišić said.

"At this point," he concluded, "the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, especially in northern Kosovska Mitrovica, can be appraised as very alarming, unless something is done urgently."

Also today, Beta news agency reports from Priština, KFOR and EULEX announced that they will step up their presence in northern Kosovo and in Kosovska Mitrovica, calling at the same time on residents to remain calm and cease with all acts of violence.

EULEX will continue to patrol and implement its mandate, that includes leading, monitoring and advising the local authorities, a statement said.