KFOR Commander Erhard Drews stated Sunday that the situation in north Kosovo is stable and expressed hope that a solution will be reached for the sake of citizens being looked for primarily at the political level.

Following the operation carried out by EULEX and representatives of Kosovo institutions at the gates 1 and 31 the situation has stabilized to a certain extent, Drews told Tanjug in Djakovica after attending a liturgy in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

In the first statement issued after assuming his office, the new KFOR commander pointed out that numerous protests and roadblocks in north Kosovo prevent freedom of movement of not only KFOR and other international missions and organizations, but also citizens.

Generally speaking, the situation is stable and I hope that a solution will be reached for the sake of all Kosovo citizens, particularly those in the north, and that it will be looked for primarily at the political, and less at the military-technical and practical level, Drews told Tanjug's reporter.

He said that KFOR's task is to support the international community in implementation of political decisions, and to create and secure peaceful environment for all, regardless of their ethnicity. In my opinion this issue is crucial, rather than when and how the removal of barricades will be realized, Drews said.

He added that the removal of barricades can be realized in many ways, rather than by mere practical or military solutions. I am happy that the citizens are reasonable and that the situation is stable, Drews said.