German govt. extends troops' mandate in Kosovo

The German government decided on Wednesday to extend the mandate of the country's troops as part of KFOR troops in Kosovo for another year. The extended mandate maintains the limit on the number of German army soldiers who can be deployed to the former Serbian province at 1,850. German govt. extends troops' mandate in Kosovo The German press reported that Germany currently has around 1,200 soldiers in Kosovo. The press also reported that parliamentary commissioner for the German armed forces Hellmut Koenigshaushas criticized the recent deployment of troops to Kosovo, since they are overloaded. A part of the soldiers has been constantly engaged for almost a year and a half, he added. The decision on extension made by Chancellor Angela Merkel still has to be approved by Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag. Germany first sent its troops to Kosovo in 1999, and the press says that the situation in Kosovo ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections is critical and that therefore additional troops from Germany and Austria have been sent to reinforce NATO troops, KFOR. Tanjug

German govt. extends troops' mandate in Kosovo

The German press reported that Germany currently has around 1,200 soldiers in Kosovo.

The press also reported that parliamentary commissioner for the German armed forces Hellmut Koenigshaushas criticized the recent deployment of troops to Kosovo, since they are overloaded. A part of the soldiers has been constantly engaged for almost a year and a half, he added.

The decision on extension made by Chancellor Angela Merkel still has to be approved by Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag.

Germany first sent its troops to Kosovo in 1999, and the press says that the situation in Kosovo ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections is critical and that therefore additional troops from Germany and Austria have been sent to reinforce NATO troops, KFOR.