The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Kosovska Mitrovica

UN special police backed by NATO troops stormed a U.N. courthouse in northern Kosovo on Monday, evicting Serb demonstrators who have occupied the building since last week to protest Kosovo's declaration of independence. Thousands of stone-hurling Serbs later surrounded near the courthouse in Serb-dominated Kosovska Mitrovica and clashed with riot police backed up by NATO troops, who used tear gas and stun grenades, or "flash bangs." The Kosovo Serbs took over the U.N. court last Friday amid anger over Kosovo's Feb. 17 independence declaration. Dozens of Serb demonstrators were arrested in the early Monday morning action by about 100 U.N. policemen and NATO troops. At least one U.N. vehicle and one NATO truck were set on fire during the riots. Several demonstrators and policemen were injured, witnesses at the scene said. NATO helicopters hovered above Kosovska Mitrovica, a town divided by the Ibar River between Kosovo Albanians and Serbs.