TENSIONS RISE Serbs with balaclavas on their faces are gathering in the north of the Republic of Kosovo

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Serbs in Kosovo have started gathering in Rudar, Zvečan municipality, at the site where barricades were previously erected.

The reason for their gathering is not yet known. According to information from the scene, men wearing balaclavas are gathering, but there are also women.

The Central Election Commission of Kosovo (CEC) continued preparations on Saturday for holding elections in the north of Kosovo, although the international community has called for their postponement.

CEC member from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Arijanit (Elshani) Eljšani, previously told Radio Free Europe that the institution does not decide on postponing elections.

However, it is expected that on Saturday, the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, will meet with political parties for consultations on the possible postponement of elections in the four municipalities in the north of Kosovo - North Mitrovica, Leposavić, Zubin Potok, and Zvečan.

The issue of postponing early local elections in the north has become topical after a series of incidents that occurred in the northern municipalities when the CEC attempted to initiate procedures for their organization.

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Concern is growing over the security situation in the north of Kosovo

The elections are supposed to be held after the resignation of mayors due to the Kosovo Government's decision to re-register vehicles from Serbian to Kosovo license plates. The Serb List, which has the support of Belgrade, has stated that it will not participate in the elections, nor will its supporters.

So far, the US and Germany have requested the postponement of the elections, due to incidents involving firearms and explosives, reports Radio Free Europe!