Germany extends Kosovo mission

Germany’s government says it will keep up to 2,500 troops in Kosovo for at least another year as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission.

Government spokesman Christoph Steegmans said the Cabinet approved extending the mandate while also cutting the maximum number of soldiers by 1,000 from 3,000.

He says Germany currently has some 1,500 troops in Kosovo helping to stabilize the country and the mission is expected to continue until local troops can take over.

German parliament is expected to approve the new mandate within the next few weeks.