The commander of NATO-led peacekeeping forces in Kosovo assured on Friday that they have the troops and capabilities to provide security, in response to Serbia’s request to deploy forces to maintain order in the former province.

Belgrade has requested the right to send 1,000 Serbian soldiers and police to Kosovo amid rising tensions in the north of the former separatist province, France-Presse and Agerpres report.

The head of KFOR peacekeeping forces, Italian General Angelo Michele Ristuccia, did not directly refer to Belgrade’s request, but assured that KFOR continues to monitor the situation.

“We expect all participants to coordinate closely with KFOR and refrain from any provocative show of force to ensure the safety of all communities,” the general warned in a statement released by NATO.

“KFOR has all the capabilities, including personnel, to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities throughout Kosovo,” he said, referring to the mandate given to KFOR by the UN.

“Since October, we have increased our presence, including by sending additional troops and patrols to northern Kosovo this week,” said Angelo Michele Ristuccia.

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Hundreds of ethnic Serbs, outraged by the arrest of a former police officer, set up roadblocks that paralyzed traffic at two checkpoints on the border with Serbia.

Kosovo, with a population of 1.8 million, mostly Albanian, declared independence in 2008 but was not recognized by Serbia. This prompts the Serbian minority to refuse to recognize the authorities of Pristina.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday that the return of the Serbian army and police would be “important for the protection of the Serbian population” in Kosovo and would “significantly reduce tensions”.

He admitted that he was “almost certain” that the request would not be accepted, while his Kosovo counterpart Vjosa Osmani dismissed it as a provocation.