(ANSA) - BELGRADE, NOVEMBER 27 - In Kosovo the mayors of the four largest Serb-majority municipalities, in the northern part of the country, resigned on Tuesday to protest a 100% increase in customs duties on imports from Serbia decided in recent days by Pristina authorities. In a statement reported on by Serbian media, the mayors lashed out at the "discriminatory and uncivilized" behavior of the Albanian Kosovar authorities, saying they are leaving Serb children without food and medicine.

Judges and Serb staff in courts in the Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo also went on strike. In practice, the Serb community has severed its contact with the Albanian Kosovar leadership in Pristina, accusing them of violating human rights and all economic and trade agreements signed. The municipalities affected by the protest of Serb mayors and judges are northern Kosovska Mitrovica (the Serb-majority sector), Leposavic, Zubin Potok and Zvecan.

Another half-day peaceful protest is expected by the Serb population of Kosovo against the increase in customs duties, which are making it very difficult to get hold of basic needs, medicines, and newspapers from the Serb community. (ANSA).