US Welcomes Potential Withdrawal of Serbian Army from Kosovo Border

(Patria) - The United States welcomed Serbia's announcement of withdrawal from the border with Kosovo following Washington's warning, although they stated they could not verify troop movements.

"We will seek further confirmation. But if that is true, it would be a welcome step," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters, AFP reported.

"We remain concerned about the cycle of rising tensions and sporadic violence in northern Kosovo and encourage both sides to return to EU-mediated dialogue," he said.

The White House went public on Friday with concerns about what it called an "unprecedented" buildup of the Serbian army following deadly clashes in northern Kosovo.

Serbian Army Chief of Staff General Milan Mojsilović said earlier in Belgrade that troops along the border with Kosovo had been reduced from 8,350 to 4,500 soldiers and expressed surprise at "the deep concern of some," saying that similar actions had occurred during previous "security crises."

Miller stood by last week's US warning, saying Washington had detected a larger number of soldiers, which caused concern.