The Latest Breaking News from Kosovo

The move came a day after tens of thousands of people from across Serbia and neighbouring Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia rallied in the centre of Belgrade in a show of support for Mr Vucic.

Russia on Saturday blamed Kosovo, the United States and European Union for escalating tensions in the Balkans and said it was watching with concern after violent clashes between Kosovan police and protesters opposed to ethnic Albanian mayors.

Tens of thousands of people converged on the Serbian capital on Friday for a major rally in support of President Aleksandar Vucic, who is facing an unprecedented revolt against his autocratic rule amid the crisis triggered by two mass shootings that stunned the nation.

Britain, France, Italy, Germany and the United States condemned Kosovo's decision to force access to municipal buildings in northern Kosovo on Friday, calling on the authorities to step back and de-escalate the situation.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday condemned the government of Kosovo for accessing municipal buildings in the country's north by force and called on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to reverse course.

Local media in Kosovo are reporting that Small groups of ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo have clashed with police while trying to block the entrance of the municipal buildings to prevent recently-elected officials from entering them

Police in Kosovo tear gas small groups of ethnic Serbs who try to block the entrance of municipal buildings.

The United States and allies rebuked Kosovo for escalating tensions with Serbia on Friday, saying the use of force to install mayors in ethnic Serb areas undermined efforts to improve troubled relations with neighbouring Serbia.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic placed the country's army on full combat alert and ordered its units to move closer to the border with Kosovo, the Tanjug news agency reported on Friday.