UN and NATO troops battle Serbs

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 03-18-2008 08:45

Serbs opposed to the independence of Kosovo have clashed with UN police and NATO troops.

Serbs opposed to the independence of Kosovo have  clashed with UN police and NATO troops.

At least 63 UN and NATO troops and 70 protesters were injured in the hours-long battle.

UN police and NATO peacekeepers raided a UN courthouse in the town of Mitrovica, taking the building back from Serb demonstrators who had occupied it since Friday.

As the UN police left the building with dozens of demonstrators they had arrested, a group of protesters pelted them with rocks and hand grenades.

At least one UN vehicle and one NATO truck were set ablaze, and 20 protesters arrested in the courthouse were freed.

The international forces responded with tear gas, stun grenades and gunshots.

UN police have withdrawn, while NATO troops remain in the area in hopes of restoring order.

Serbs opposed to the independence of Kosovo have clashed with UN police and NATO troops. (CCTV.com)

NATO and the UN issued a joint statement in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, condemning the violence.

Serbian President Boris Tadic has accused the international forces of using excessive force, and says the situation could escalate in the entire territory of Kosovo.

Tadic criticized the peacekeepers for launching an offensive on the day Kosovo Serbs marked the fourth anniversary of ethnic Albanian attacks, that left several people dead and many Serb homes and churches destroyed.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei