UN employees under fire in Kosovo

A Romanian special police unit working under the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has came under fire during an unsuccessful prison breakout by 14 inmates in western Kosovo. There were no casualties, but two vehicles were hit by gunfire, according to a UN spokesman.

Within the prison, staff managed to reassert control after initially being overpowered. Simultaneously, however, the Romanian Unit was shot at by unknown persons.

Police are investigating the events both inside and outside the prison.

The UN has administered Kosovo since 1999 when North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces drove out Yugoslav troops amid grave human rights abuses in fighting between majority Albanians and minority Serbs in the province.

Direct talks on the final status of Kosovo are due to begin early next year, AKI reports.

V.Y.