Nato suspends convoy escorts after ambush

Nato peace-keepers in southern Kosovo were forced to suspend routine operations until yesterday because attacks by Serbs around the south-eastern town of Strpce left 11 United States soldiers injured.

Nato peace-keepers in southern Kosovo were forced to suspend routine operations until yesterday because attacks by Serbs around the south-eastern town of Strpce left 11 United States soldiers injured.

The suspension of operations lasted nearly two days.Violence erupted between Serbs and American and Polish troops, during which a total of 12 Nato soldiers were injured.

The US Army said "the security risks were unacceptably high to continue routine operations" after "the security environment... was disrupted" in Strpce by about 1,000 Serbs last Tuesday. Nato convoy escorts for Serb vehicles travelling through Albanian areas, routine medical assistance, building projects and delivery of supplies to the town were suspended.

One French peace-keeper and several Serbs were also injured yesterday after Natosoldiers fired tear gasin the city of Kosovska Mitrovica.

About 100 Kosovo refugees began a hunger strike yesterday after refusing to leave a camp in Australia to begin their journey home.