Thaci says Belgrade "reacts primitively"

Kosovo's Albanian PM, Hashim Thaci, said Belgrade's reaction to the Kosovo crisis is "primitive". The former leader of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, added that the events in Belgrade must not be linked with the Serbian people who live in Kosovo, Beta news agency says. Thaci says Belgrade "reacts primitively" He was referring to riots in Belgrade earlier this week. "There are those who are unhappy with the fact that Kosovo is now an independent state, but they will very soon adopt to the positive and democratic reality," Thaci said. A week ago, Kosovo Albanians declared unilateral secession, supported by the U.S. and some EU countries. Serbia has rejected the move illegal and has Moscow's backing to block the province's UN membership. Thaci today in Pristina said that he followed events unfolding in the north part of Kosovska Mitrovica, and added that "Kosovo's institutions are completely ready to face all possible challenges". "Everything we do will be for the benefit of all citizens and in order to preserve the territorial integrity of Kosovo. Each part of Kosovo is under full control of NATO forces, UNMIK police and Kosovo police," Thaci said. The Serbs inhabiting the areas of the province north of the Ibar River have rejected the unilateral declaration. Moscow has repeatedly issued "strong warnings" to NATO and UN not to overstep their mandate in case the Serbs in the north decide not to accept the authority of Pristina, or that of the new EU mission, EULEX – rejected as illegal by both Serbia and Russia.

Thaci says Belgrade "reacts primitively"

He was referring to riots in Belgrade earlier this week.

"There are those who are unhappy with the fact that Kosovo is now an independent state, but they will very soon adopt to the positive and democratic reality," Thaci said.

A week ago, Kosovo Albanians declared unilateral secession, supported by the U.S. and some EU countries. Serbia has rejected the move illegal and has Moscow's backing to block the province's UN membership.

Thaci today in Priština said that he followed events unfolding in the north part of Kosovska Mitrovica, and added that "Kosovo's institutions are completely ready to face all possible challenges".

"Everything we do will be for the benefit of all citizens and in order to preserve the territorial integrity of Kosovo. Each part of Kosovo is under full control of NATO forces, UNMIK police and Kosovo police," Thaci said.

The Serbs inhabiting the areas of the province north of the Ibar River have rejected the unilateral declaration.

Moscow has repeatedly issued "strong warnings" to NATO and UN not to overstep their mandate in case the Serbs in the north decide not to accept the authority of Priština, or that of the new EU mission, EULEX – rejected as illegal by both Serbia and Russia.