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| Vucic talking on the phone (archive) |
Belgrade has put its security forces on high alert as tensions escalated on the Serbia-Kosovo border.
Serbian Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic said that he "ordered the full combat readiness of the police and other security units and that they are placed under the command of the army chief of staff."
Gasic added that he was acting on the orders of the country's president, Aleksandar Vucic, so that "all measures are taken to protect the Serbian people in Kosovo."
Many in the international community have called for calm as concern grows over worsening relations between the neighbors. Shootings, explosions, and road blockades have all been reported over the past two weeks, Euronews reports.
"I want to inform you that we are really in a difficult situation, but we will give our best", said Aleksandër Vucic, the Serbian president.
"We will take care of maintaining peace and stability, and not only that. We care about the protection of our people in the north of Kosovo", he added.
"After [Kosovo], Albanians have armed themselves and raised their combat readiness. I will take all necessary measures to protect our nation, to protect Serbia", he said further.
NATO peacekeepers, known as KFOR, declare that they are "working to establish all the facts" about the incident.
"It is important that all involved avoid any rhetoric or actions that could cause tensions and escalate the situation. We expect all actors to refrain from provocative displays of force and seek the best solution to ensure the safety and security of all communities," KFOR said in a statement.