UN special police units have stormed the main UN court in northern Kosova, retaking it from Serbs who had forcibly occupied the building three days earlier.

Members of Kosova's UN police force and Nato peacekeepers used teargas on Monday as they clashed with about 1,000 Serbs who later gathered in front of the courthouse in Kosovska Mitrovica.

At least one UN vehicle was set on fire during the clashes.

Witnesses at the scene said several demonstrators and policemen were injured, while dozens of Serbs were arrested.

Protesters reportedly attacked a UN convoy carrying the Serb detainees, enabling several to escape.

More than 500 mainly Ukrainian UN police were involved in the dawn operation, Reuters news agency said.

Serb seizure

A group of some 300 Serb protesters opposed to Kosova's independence had captured the UN-run courthouse last Friday.

They refused to leave the premises after negotiations with United Nations officials failed over the weekend.

The Serbs - many of whom worked in Kosova's judiciary before the territory came under the administration of the United Nations in 1999 - said they wanted to set up their own court.

Kosova's government unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on February 17 and has since been recognised by many Western countries. Serbia and Kosova Serbs vehemently reject the move as illegal.

Two days after the proclamation, angry Kosova Serbs torched two border crossings with Serbia and have since staged a series of other protests, some of which have turned unruly.

PHOTO CAPTION

French NATO peacekeeping troops protect the U.N. court compound during clashes in the ethnically divided city of Kosovska Mitrovica March 17, 2008.

Al-Jazeera