Ivanovic calls for stability in northern Kosovo

Ivanovic told  that the sensitive situation is aggravated by "the total instability in Pristina", and noted that stability must be preserved and any incidents avoided in northern Kosovo.

"I condemn the incidents that occurred in northern Kosovo in the past weeks, but I also need to draw attention to a particular facet of these incidents, namely that Pristina could interpret them as inability of the local Serb self-government to preserve peace and order in their territory," Ivanovic said.

The state secretary pointed out that in the coming period local administrations should cooperate with local police to try to preserve peace and order.

Two Serb-owned vehicles were set on fire in Zvecan and another was damaged in a separate incident in Kosovska Mitrovica last week.

An explosion recently damaged an antenna tower owned by Kosovo cell phone service provider IPKO and injured a three-year old girl.

These events continued the series of serious incidents in northern Kosovo, which started with the murder of doctor Mesud Dzekovic in northern Kosovska Mitrovica early in July.

October 4 saw the start of implementation of a joint operation plan carried out by KFOR, EULEX and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) in northern Kosovo. The operation was organized by KFOR Commander Erhard Buehler and is aimed at suppressing crime and illegal weapons possession.

KFOR announced earlier that the upgraded security measures will stay in effect until security is guaranteed.

EULEX said in a statement that the KPS and EULEX have upped patrols to better control the security situation and hinder organized criminal activity.

The activities are part of our joint efforts to re-establish rule of law in the region and intensify the fight against organized crime, EULEX spokesman Hanns-Christian Klasing told.