Efforts to defuse Kosovo crisis intensify amid more protests

By RADUL RADOVANOVIC
Associated Press

ZVECAN, Kosovo (AP) — International efforts to defuse a crisis in Kosovo intensified as ethnic Serbs held more protests in a northern town where clashes with NATO-led peacekeepers left dozens injured. The tension has sparked fears of renewed conflict in the troubled region. Hundreds of Serbs reiterated at a rally Wednesday that they want the Kosovo special police and ethnic Albanian officials who were recently elected to mayor’s offices to withdraw from northern Kosovo. Meanwhile, European Union officials met with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The leaders of France and Germany announced plans to meet Thursday with top Serbia and Kosovo officials.