Kfor on guard as Serbia votes

Big decision

Kosovo remains a legal part of Serbia, but ethnic Albanians in the country are expected get support for a form of independence when Martti Ahtisaari, the special envoy for Kosovo, presents his recommendations for its future status.

Ahtisaari was appointed by Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary general, and charged with leading a political process to determine whether the province should remain a part of Serbia.

This announcement was to have been made by the end of 2006, but was postponed until after Serbian parliamentary elections on January 21.

Kfor comprises about 17,000 soldiers responsible for preserving peace and security in Kosovo.