Partition of Kosovo feared after Serb riots

NATO troops came under fire during Serb riots in the northern Kosovo flashpoint of Mitrovica yesterday, in the worst violence in the territory since the Albanian majority declared independence last month.

The riots posed a direct challenge to NATO, the United Nations and Kosovo’s fledgling European Union justice mission, underscoring fears that Kosovo could be heading for ethnic partition one month after breaking away from Serbia.

A UN spokesman said the riot “crosses one of the red lines that had clearly been articulated by the UN to the leaders of Kosovo Serbs in the north and to officials in Belgrade”. The United Nations said at least 25 police officers were hurt.