NATO extends deadline for barricade removal

Local Serbs in the northern Kosovo towns of Leposavic and Lolasin are reportedly gathering at barricades and pledging to remain there until Kosovo officials withdraw from two customs checkpoints -less than 24 hours before the official NATO deadline for barricade removal.

The Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, told reporters in the Serbian town of Arilje on Sunday night that KFOR’s removal of barricades in the northern Kosovo would be counterproductive.

The peacekeeping force last week requested that the barricades, which number 16, be removed over the weekend. On Sunday, this deadline was extended until the end of Monday.