(see related)
30 KFOR peacekeeping soldiers
including 11 Italians and 19 Hungarians were injured in Monday's
clashes in Zvecan, the NATO-led force said in a statement on
Tuesday.
All the injured troops suffered multiple injuries, including
fractures and burns caused by improvised explosive incendiary
devices, the statement added.
KFOR said 3 Hungarian soldiers had been wounded by gunfire, but
their lives were not in danger.
The statement said the KFOR mission had increased its presence
in the four Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo to
reduce the risk of escalation after newly elected mayors tried
to take office.
"KFOR always operates with firmness and restraint, within strict
rules of engagement (Roe). In this case, it responded to
unprovoked attacks by a violent and dangerous mob, while
carrying out its UN mandate in an impartial manner," read the
statement.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also confirmed that "there are
no serious injuries" among the Italian soldiers injured in
monday's clasjhes.
The Italian servicemen are "being treated in Kosovo and our
ambassador will visit them this morning," Tajani told Radio
Anch'io on Rai Radio1.
"The Italian military is part of a NATO mission that aims to
prevent the eruption of a new conflict between Kosovo and
Serbs," added Tajani.
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