Kosovo Serbs start removing roadblocks

Serbs have blocked roads with trucks, rocks, mud and logs to stop Kosovo Albanian leadership from extending its control over the part of the country populated mostly by ethnic Serbs. Serbs reject Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence and consider the territory part of neighboring Serbia.

Serbs partially removed the roadblocks Thursday so the peacekeepers can supply and rotate their troops. But they plan to keep checkpoints to prevent an European Union rule of law mission from transporting Kosovo officials.

The 5,500-strong NATO-led force in Kosovo, known as KFOR, has demanded an unconditional lifting of the blockade to allow free passage for all, including the EU rule of law mission, known as EULEX.

"Our intention is to allow KFOR to supply its soldiers and their rotation," Kosovo Serb official Slavisa Ristic said. "But, EULEX won't be able to pass before some problems are resolved, the main being their transport of Kosovo customs officials." Kosovo Albanian authorities deployed their security forces in July to two border posts in northern Kosovo to enforce a trade ban with Serbia. Serbs reacted by blocking roads, triggering clashes with Kosovo police that left one police officer dead