This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7300015.stm

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Kosovo clashes force UN pullout Kosovo clashes force UN pullout
(about 3 hours later)
UN police in Kosovo have been forced to withdraw from the Serb stronghold in northern Mitrovica after riots in which more than 100 people were injured. UN police in Kosovo have been forced to withdraw from the Serb stronghold in northern Mitrovica after riots in which more than 130 people were injured.
About 70 Serb civilians were wounded as well as 63 members of the UN police and at least 20 troops serving with the Nato-led K-For force. About 70 Serb civilians were wounded in the town as well as 63 members of the UN police and Nato-led peacekeepers.
Troops and UN police faced a hail of gunfire, stones and hand grenades. Rioters threw stones petrol bombs, grenades - as well as firearms - international forces say.
Nato admitted its troops had used "both lethal and non-lethal means" - but had only shot in the air.
The clashes began after the UN tried to wrest control of a courthouse seized by the Serbs last week.The clashes began after the UN tried to wrest control of a courthouse seized by the Serbs last week.
It is the worst unrest since Kosovo's independence declaration last month, which Serbia says is illegal.It is the worst unrest since Kosovo's independence declaration last month, which Serbia says is illegal.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe, who was barred by local Serbs from entering the north of the town on Monday, reports from southern Mitrovica that an eerie quiet has descended on the town after the day's violence.
AnniversaryAnniversary
It also coincides with the fourth anniversary of rioting in Mitrovica by Kosovo Albanians which drove some 4,000 people, mainly Serbs, from their homes, and left at least 19 people dead, according to UN figures. The unrest coincided with the fourth anniversary of rioting in Mitrovica by Kosovo Albanians which drove some 4,000 people, mainly Serbs, from their homes, and left at least 19 people dead, according to UN figures.
K-For has taken over security in the divided town, where Serbs are concentrated on the northern side of the river.
Stones, petrol bombs and gunfire were directed at UN troopsStones, petrol bombs and gunfire were directed at UN troops
Polish police commander Andrzej Matejuk said 27 of the injured UN police were Poles, but their lives were not in danger. Fourteen Ukrainians with the UN police were also wounded. The Nato-led K-For has taken over security in the divided town, where Serbs are concentrated on the northern side of the Ibar river.
The French military said 20 French K-For soldiers were injured, eight seriously.
The violence began after about 100 UN police arrested 53 Serbs occupying a UN court in the north of the city.The violence began after about 100 UN police arrested 53 Serbs occupying a UN court in the north of the city.
Scores of protesters blocked the police vehicles as they tried to leave and rocks and petrol bombs were thrown, according to Kosovo police.Scores of protesters blocked the police vehicles as they tried to leave and rocks and petrol bombs were thrown, according to Kosovo police.
Almost half of those arrested were set free during the violence. UN and Nato vehicles were set alight.Almost half of those arrested were set free during the violence. UN and Nato vehicles were set alight.
As the situation escalated, UN police were ordered to withdraw, leaving K-For troops to control the situation.As the situation escalated, UN police were ordered to withdraw, leaving K-For troops to control the situation.
K-For troops are now in control of the court building, says the BBC's Nick Thorpe in Mitrovica. He describes northern Mitrovica as calm but tense. At least 70 Serbs were treated for injuries, including one person with a gunshot wound to the head, according to Kosovo Serb hospital sources quoted by Serbian media and the Associated Press news agency.
Polish police commander Andrzej Matejuk said 27 of the injured UN police were Poles, but their lives were not in danger. Fourteen Ukrainians with the UN police were also wounded.
The French military said 20 French K-For soldiers were injured, eight seriously.
K-For troops backed by armoured cars are now in control of the court building.
'Excessive force''Excessive force'
Speaking in Brussels, Nato spokesman James Appathurai said troops would "respond firmly to ensure a safe and secure environment". "I understand that today [Nato-led] forces had to use both lethal and non-lethal means to control the rioting crowd," said Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, John Craddock, on a visit to Afghanistan.
When we were coming out of the compound, the van I was in was stopped by Serbs who trashed it and freed us Dragoljub DrazevicSerb protester In pictures: Mitrovica riotingWhen we were coming out of the compound, the van I was in was stopped by Serbs who trashed it and freed us Dragoljub DrazevicSerb protester In pictures: Mitrovica rioting
"The rioters who have used Molotov cocktails, grenades and possible automatic weapons fire have gravely violated the law," he added. Speaking in Brussels, Nato spokesman James Appathurai said rioters had used "Molotov cocktails, grenades and possible automatic weapons".
French spokesman Etienne du Fayet de la Tour told Reuters news agency K-For troops had "used automatic weapons to respond but fired only warning shots... in the air, not into the crowd".
The European Commission voiced its full support for the efforts of the UN administration and K-For to maintain order, saying violence was unacceptable.The European Commission voiced its full support for the efforts of the UN administration and K-For to maintain order, saying violence was unacceptable.
Serbian President Boris Tadic accused the international forces in Kosovo of using "excessive force" and warned of "an escalation of unrest on all the territory of the province".Serbian President Boris Tadic accused the international forces in Kosovo of using "excessive force" and warned of "an escalation of unrest on all the territory of the province".
Russia's ambassador to Nato, Dmitry Rogozin, accused K-For of using "disproportionate force... against women and children", and urged an end to the "escalation".
"Given that there are lot of hidden guns in Kosovo, there could be a lot of bloodshed," he added.
RalliesRallies
Many of the protesters who seized the court last week are said to be former staff who lost their jobs in 1999 at the end of the war in Kosovo, when it came under UN administration.Many of the protesters who seized the court last week are said to be former staff who lost their jobs in 1999 at the end of the war in Kosovo, when it came under UN administration.
Serbs had staged rallies outside the building for several weeks, preventing ethnic Albanian court employees from crossing the bridge over the Ibar River that divides Mitrovica into a Serb-run north and an Albanian south. Serbs had staged rallies outside the building for several weeks, preventing ethnic Albanian court employees from crossing the bridge over the Ibar. Tension in the region has risen sharply since Kosovo declared independence.
Tension in the region has risen sharply since Kosovo declared independence.
Last week, Serbs tried to take control of a railway line in northern Kosovo.Last week, Serbs tried to take control of a railway line in northern Kosovo.
In February, some 150 Kosovo Serb police officers were suspended for refusing to take orders from the Kosovo Albanian authorities in Kosovo's capital, Pristina.In February, some 150 Kosovo Serb police officers were suspended for refusing to take orders from the Kosovo Albanian authorities in Kosovo's capital, Pristina.
Most EU states and the US have recognised Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence.Most EU states and the US have recognised Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence.
Serbia - backed by its ally Russia - says the move is illegal.Serbia - backed by its ally Russia - says the move is illegal.
Are you in Mitrovica? Did you witness the protests? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Mitrovica? Did you witness the protests? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 or short code 61124You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 or short code 61124
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name:
 Name: