(ANSA) - BELGRADE, MAY 21 - Inter-ethnic tensions in Kosovo have risen again following yesterday's operation by local police, who intervened to close six branches of the Postal Savings Bank in the north, a Serbian bank that continued to pay salaries, pensions, and benefits in Serbian dinars, a currency banned by Pristina authorities last February. The initiative sparked outrage and protest among Serbian leaders in Belgrade. According to media reports in Pristina today, the US State Department expressed disappointment with the branch closures, arguing that the action was not coordinated with international partners and is likely to escalate tensions in Kosovo. (ANSA).