International community condemns Kosovo opposition's violent protests

PRISTINA, Kosovo – The international community has strongly condemned the Kosovo opposition's "continued use of violence to achieve political goals."

A statement Thursday from the embassies of the Quint countries — France, Germany, Italy, Britain and the United States — called political violence "unacceptable" and said it is damaging Kosovo's international standing.

In the past two months the opposition has disrupted the work of the Parliament using tear gas and pepper spray, whistles and water bottles, demanding that the government renounce a deal with Serbia giving more powers to ethnic-Serb communities and another with Montenegro on border demarcation.

Outside the building their supporters have violently clashed with police, causing injuries and damage.

Kosovo in 2008 declared independence from Serbia, but that is not recognized by Belgrade.