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Kosovo clashes force UN pullout Kosovo clashes force UN pullout
(about 4 hours later)
UN police in Kosovo have been forced to withdraw from the Serb stronghold in northern Mitrovica after riots in which several policemen were injured. 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.
About 70 Serb civilians were injured as well as at least 36 members of the UN police or the Nato-led military K-For. 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.
Troops and UN police faced a hail of gunfire, stones and hand grenades.
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.
Anniversary
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.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.
Gunfire reports K-For has taken over security in the divided town, where Serbs are concentrated on the northern side of the river.
K-For has taken over security in the town where Serbs are concentrated on the northern side of the river.
Nato says it will deal "firmly" with any further acts of violence.
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.
Stones, petrol bombs and gunfire were directed at UN troopsStones, petrol bombs and gunfire were directed at UN troops
Most of the UN or K-For personnel injured were Polish or Ukrainian. 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.
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, and 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.
Three UN policemen and two K-For soldiers were injured in an explosion, thought to have been caused by a hand grenade, and there were reports of gunfire in the town. 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 Nato 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.
'Excessive force''Excessive force'
Speaking in Brussels, Nato spokesman James Appathurai said troops would "respond firmly to ensure a safe and secure environment".Speaking in Brussels, Nato spokesman James Appathurai said troops would "respond firmly to ensure a safe and secure environment".
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."The rioters who have used Molotov cocktails, grenades and possible automatic weapons fire have gravely violated the law," he added.
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".
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 River that divides Mitrovica into a Serb-run north and an Albanian south.
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.
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