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Belgrade denounces 'Albanization of northern Kosovo'

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, AUG 27 - Belgrade condemned a growing 'Albanization' campaign in northern Kosovo, and the Pristina leadership promised to do everything possible to reduce or eliminate Serbia's dominant presence in the country's north. The pro-government Belgrade press today slammed Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's latest "provocative" measures, which included the opening of a new bridge over the Ibar River in Kosovska Mitrovica and the renaming of 87 streets in the city's northern (Serbian) sector, whereas the southern part is populated by ethnic Albanians. Many of the new names include former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), which was at the centre of the armed conflict with Serbian forces from 1998 to 1999. Already yesterday, local Serbs and Belgrade leaders protested the opening of a new bridge connecting Mitrovica's two sectors. (ANSA).