United Nations Radio

The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Friday reopened a courthouse in north Mitrovica that was the scene of violence earlier this year.

The UN says effective Friday, the courthouse is staffed by UNMIK international staff, including two judges, two prosecutors, legal officers and administrative assistants.

In this initial phase of the reopening, the prosecutors and international judges will only handle urgent criminal cases.

They'll apply UNMIK law and procedure.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Kosovo, Lamberto Zannier, called Friday's reopening "a first step to ensure that rule of law is provided to everyone in Kosovo."

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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