Again the US is demanding that the new mayors and the police leave the municipal buildings

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and the government should enable the mayors in the north of Kosovo to do their work in alternative locations and to order the withdrawal of the police, stationed near the municipal facilities, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said today.

Patel, at the press conference, condemned the violence against KFOR members in the north of Kosovo.

He reminded that the US had criticized the violent approach of the new mayors to the municipal buildings in the north.

He said that the US believed that mayors should do their jobs in alternative locations.

"This is something on which we remain firmly engaged and in direct discussion with both governments. The US condemns the unacceptable violence against NATO-led peacekeepers, as well as the journalists who were injured, and we have called on all parties to take immediate measures to de-escalate the situation," Patel said.

He also pointed to the need to re-hold elections in the north of Kosovo.

He stated that Serbia should lower the level of readiness of the military forces and call on Kosovo Serbs to refrain from violence.

Patel said the decision to forcibly enter into municipal facilities had seriously and unnecessarily escalated the situation.

"Serbia and President Vucic should reduce the level of readiness of their army and call on Kosovo Serbs to refrain from violence. The decision of the Government of Kosovo to have access to municipal buildings violently has escalated the situation harshly and unnecessarily," Patel said.