EU urges restraint in north Kosovo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission called for restraint in northern Kosovo on Monday after NATO troops came under fire during Serb riots in the flashpoint town of Mitrovica.

"We are very concerned about the tense situation in north Mitrovica and we regret attacks against the U.N. police and (the NATO-led force) KFOR. We call for restraint," a spokesman for the EU executive told a regular news briefing.

"Violence is unacceptable. It's not an option. All parties should work together to build a multi-ethnic Kosovo based on the rule of law," he added.

The EU is currently deploying a 2,200-strong mission that will take over U.N. policing functions in Kosovo by mid-June.

(Reporting by Mark John)