The situation in Kosovo remains tense after the clashes that broke out yesterday between the authorities and the protesters.

NATO has spoken of “completely unacceptable” attacks in Kosovo, which have injured around 25 police officers.

Police and NATO troops clashed with Serb protesters yesterday in the north where there have been riots over the installation of Albanian mayors.

Demonstrators attempted to storm a government building in Zvekan yesterday but were pushed back by police forces who used tear gas and stun grenades. NATO soldiers formed a security cordon around two town halls.

According to a NATO statement, soldiers from Italy and Hungary were among those injured in Monday’s violent incidents. Three of the injured remain in critical condition while five people have been arrested.

The president of Serbia Alexander Vucic he said more than 50 Serbs needed hospital treatment and even more were injured.

NATO-led troops in Zvekan initially tried to separate the protesters from the police.

But eventually they used shields and globes and dispersed the crowd according to AFP. According to the agency, several protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the soldiers.

NATO called the attacks “totally unacceptable”, adding that it called on all sides to “refrain from actions that further inflame tensions and engage in dialogue”.

Vucic put the army on high alert in response to fresh protests, and moved army units near the border with Kosovo on Friday after similar clashes.

The deputy head of the Serb List, the largest government-backed Kosovo Serb party in Belgrade, accused Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti of trying to create chaos for everyone in the region.

The beginning of the crisis in Kosovo

The crisis erupted in April when Kosovo Serbs boycotted local elections, allowing Albanians to take control of local councils with a turnout of less than 4%.

The Kosovar authorities have criticized the EU and the US for destabilizing the situation in northern Kosovo, warning of the ignition of national tensions.

In February 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia after years of strained relations between its Serb and predominantly Albanian residents.

Kosovo has been recognized by the US and major EU countries. Serbia, backed by its ally Russia, does not recognize it, as do most of its Serbian residents.