NATO will send an extra 700 reinforcement troops to Kosovo days after a trade row between Belgrade and Pristina sparked deadly violence, an apparent signal that NATO won't allow the situation to deteriorate.

NATO decided to send extra troops, mainly from Germany and Austria, following last week's clashes in northern Kosovo between Serbs and Albanians, triggered by Pristina-based Albanian authorities' decision to take full control of border posts with Serbia in Brnjak and Jarinje.

The clashes erupted after the government replaced Serbian policemen guarding two border posts in north Kosovo with Albanians. Pristina wanted Albanian policemen to enforce an import ban on Serbian goods.

The replacement angered Serbs in Brnjak and Jarinje. They set one border post ablaze and blocked roads to prevent NATO forces from reaching peacekeepers sent earlier to the border crossings to maintain peace.

NATO's force in Kosovo, KFOR, currently numbers nearly 6,000