The commander of the KFOR peacekeeping forces, Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia, said on Friday that the recent events in the north of Kosovo show that the situation remains unstable and could very easily escalate as he warned of the increase of NATO troops on the ground. "Certainly the purpose of committing the crime was undoubtedly to create instability and chaos," he said 

He made these comments at a press conference in Pristina, on the eve of the end of his mandate, during which he said that the situation has become more difficult to manage due to a number of intervening factors and especially the mistrust between the parties . 

"All these events show that the situation remains unstable and can very easily escalate. Due to the recent events, the KFOR mission has increased its presence and activities in Kosovo and NATO has authorized the addition of additional forces to deal with the situation," he said. 

Mr. Ristuccia said that investigations are underway for the events of September 24 and KFOR has taken all appropriate measures to reduce the risk. He said that it is too early to know where the weapons came from in Banjska. 

Tensions between Belgrade and Pristina reached unprecedented levels since Kosovo's declaration of independence following the events of September 24, when a group of armed Serbs attacked Kosovo police in the northern village of Banjska, killing a police officer. Three attackers were killed during the clashes, which fuelled concerns about stability in the region and prompted NATO to deploy more peacekeeping forces on the ground. 

He said that in addition to Great Britain, Romania will also deploy additional troops in Kosovo. 

"These are steps to prove and ensure the ability of KFOR with the necessary forces to fulfil its UN mandate to maintain a safe environment and freedom of movement for people living in Kosovo," he said.

Mr. Ristuccia said that only a political solution can bring irreversible peace and stability to the area. 

"This is the reason why KFOR fully supports and will continue to provide the necessary security work for the dialogue facilitated by the European Union, which aims to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia", he said. 

He said that KFOR's mandate is clear and the rule of law remains the exclusive right of the Kosovo police, with which the EULEX mission and KFOR agree. 

German defence officials said on Friday that Germany will send around 150 soldiers to Kosovo in April next year as a contribution to the KFOR mission. According to German officials, the decision has nothing to do with the current tensions in the north of Kosovo, but to compensate for the withdrawal of Austrian troops. 

Kosovo accuses Serbia of being behind the September 24 attack and of attempting to annex northern Kosovo, while the Serbian authorities have denied the accusations, stressing that they have no intention of attacking anyone in the region.