The two main rivals in Albania's closely fought general election have appealed for calm before results are announced on Monday. The poll is seen as crucial for the country's hopes of one day joining the European Union.
Albanians voted Sunday in legislative elections seen as critical for the EU membership aspirations of one of Europe's poorest countries. Preliminary results are expected on Monday.
Croatia has promptly expressed its readiness to help NATO efforts in Afghanistan after officially joining the alliance, along with Albania, during a ceremony in Washington. Further expansion of NATO is, however, unlikely in the near future.
Seven firefighters were injured in one of two explosions that shook the city of Kosovska Mitrovica on Friday. The city in the north of Kosovo remains deeply split between Serbs and ethnic Albanians nearly a year after Kosovo declared independence.
Serbian police said they arrested ten former members of the Kosovo Liberation army, suspected of crimes against civilians in Gnjilane. The detainees are ethnic Albanians and are accused of more than 50 murders.
As he signed NATO accession protocols for Albania and Croatia, US President George Bush pledged support for Georgia and Ukraine's aspirations to join the NATO alliance.
At least five people died and a further 200 were injured on Saturday in explosions at a military arms depot outside the Albanian capital Tirana. Many fear the death toll could rise. (Report: M.Henbest)
Tensions are running high in Mitrovica since Kosovo's declaration of independence. FRANCE 24's Cyril Vanier and Franck Berruyer visited one of the northern Kosovar city's last mixed neighborhoods.
