Serbian army to remain in full combat readiness until further notice - Council

BELGRADE - The Serbian Armed Forces will remain in full combat readiness until further notice following a "brutal use of force by Albin Kurti and his forces against Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija," said a statement released after Saturday's session of the Serbian National Security Council.

All necessary security activities aimed at strengthening Serbia's defence capacities were agreed at the session, the press office of the president of Serbia said in the statement.

The Council noted that the NATO mission in Kosovo-Metohija and Kfor had not done their job in line with UNSCR 1244 and the Kumanovo Military-Technical Agreement.

Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic was authorised to maintain direct contact with the Kfor commander in an attempt to ensure the mission fulfils its function and its mandate in line with the relevant UN acts and protect Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija.

"The Republic of Serbia will be firm and unwavering in protecting its people," the statement noted.

The session was attended by Mojsilovic, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, PM Ana Brnabic, FM and National Security Council Secretary Ivica Dacic, Defence Minister Milos Vucevic, Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic, Security and Information Agency chief Aleksandar Vulin, Justice Minister Maja Popovic, the director of the government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic, State Prosecutor Zagorka Dolovac, Belgrade Police Chief Veselin Milic and Parliament Speaker Vladimir Orlic.

The session was announced by Vucic last night after the so-called Kosovo Police stormed municipal buildings in Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposavic in the north of Kosovo-Metohija, firing tear gas and smoke and stun grenades at Serb residents who had tried to stop them.