German Gen. Erhard Buehler, commanding officer of KFOR, said on May 8 that there would be no further reduction of troops stationed in Kosovo.

In an interview with BETA, Buehler said the number of troops had already been slashed, adding that a completely new structure had been put in place on March 1 and that he believed it should be maintained to ascertain its ability to deal with commitments.

He went on to say that he believed there would be no further downsizing until the end of 2011, and that several jobs had to be finished before the next step was taken and troop numbers lowered.

He said that KFOR had many obligations to pass on to the Kosovo Police, chiefly in the area of border control and training in demonstration response.

Then we will be able to make an assessment and decide whether downscaling troop numbers is necessary, the German general said. He also described the security situation in Kosovo as stable and peaceful.