Dacic: We will not let Serbs become victims due to int'l community's lack of preparedness

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Ivica Dacic said on Monday a months-long escalation in Kosovo-Metohija was due to Pristina PM Albin Kurti's irresponsible behaviour that was causing conflict situations.

Commenting on deployment of Kfor troops outside municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo-Metohija this morning, Dacic told the RTS Kfor's task had been to prevent a unilateral act by Pristina, rather than to ban employees from entering municipal buildings.

"They are now protecting the mayors under the pretext of protecting peace. It seems that they are protecting them from the owners of the buildings - the Serbs - from those who work there and who are employees there. Serb municipalities cannot have mayors who have not been elected by Serbs," Dacic said.

He noted that the Serbian army was in full combat readiness.

"We will not let Serbs become victims due to a lack of preparedness of the international community and Kurti's war adventurism," Dacic said.

Pristina's police stormed municipal buildings in Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic on Friday afternoon, using tear gas and smoke and stun grenades against Serbs who had gathered to stop them.

Several Serbs were injured and the police raid enabled the new mayors of the three municipalities to enter the buildings.

The mayors of Zvecan, Zubin Potok, Leposavic and North Mitrovica were elected in recent polls boycotted by Serbs.