Highlights: Tensions remain high in the north of Kosovo, populated by Albanians, whose independence is still contested by Serbia. While the West considers Pristina responsible for the tensions linked to the municipal elections, the Kosovar Prime Minister is largely supported by the Albanian population. U.S. and France have repeatedly urged Albin Kurti to reverse his decision to invest in their office the new Albanian mayors of his majority Serb municipalities whose election had been boycotted by the Serbs. But in the city of Mitrovica, Albanians like Sefije blame theSerbs.

In Kosovo, tensions remain high in the north of this state overwhelmingly populated by Albanians, whose independence is still contested by Serbia. While Westerners judge Pristina...

Kosovo: Prime Minister under fire but supported by Albanian population

In Kosovo, tensions remain high in the north of this state overwhelmingly populated by Albanians, whose independence is still contested by Serbia. While the West considers Pristina responsible for the tensions linked to the municipal elections, the Kosovar Prime Minister is largely supported by the Albanian population.

Despite diplomatic pressure, Prime Minister Albin Kurti reaffirmed his intention to extend the authority of the Kosovar state to the entire territory. AFP - ARMEND NIMANI

Text by: RFI Follow

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With our regional correspondent, Louis Seiller

While the situation remains very tense in northern Kosovo - scene of clashes that have injured NATO soldiers and demonstrators - Prime Minister Albin Kurti is under fire from his Western partners.

But in the city of Mitrovica, Albanians like Sefije blame the Serbs: "According to the internationals, the elections were legitimate. To please the Serbs, they had already been postponed, by two weeks, a month, but the Serbs do not accept anything, and they are not going to vote.

The United States and France have repeatedly urged Albin Kurti to reverse his decision to invest in their office the new Albanian mayors of his majority Serb municipalities whose election had been boycotted by the Serbs.

Under no circumstances should he give up, says Ruzhde, who supports his prime minister. These decisions are right! They are legal! And they defend both the Albanian and Serbian peoples. In the North, criminal gangs make the law, you can't imagine!

Recognition of the country's independence

For Ylli, as for most Kosovar Albanians, the main culprit for the current tensions remains Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who, fifteen years later, still does not recognize the country's independence. "The Serbian community must finally accept that Kosovo is a republic and a state and that the laws of the Republic of Kosovo must be respected.

► Read also: Kosovo, fifteen years of independence and still in search of recognition

Despite diplomatic pressure, Prime Minister Albin Kurti reaffirmed his intention to extend the authority of the Kosovar state to the entire territory.

>> READ ALSO: Washington excludes Kosovo from NATO military exercises after renewed tensions

Kosovo: Prime Minister under fire but supported by Albanian population

Kosovo: Prime Minister under fire but supported by Albanian population

Recognition of the country's independence

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