The head of NATO said he's confident the alliance's peacekeeping force will do all it can to prevent tensions in Kosovo from escalating because of this weekend's election in neighboring Serbia, according to AP. NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Friday the force's "mission is to preserve a safe and secure environment for all people of Kosovo in an impartial way." Serbia is holding a general election on Sunday. Kosovo wants to block voting in Serb-dominated northern Kosovo, saying it would undermine its sovereignty. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Belgrade has vowed never to recognize its secession. The NATO force was recently reinforced by a German-Austrian battalion, bringing its total strength to about 7,000 troops.
