U.N. plans to remain in Kosovo

BELGRADE, Serbia, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The Hague Tribunal may cease to operate in 2013 but United Nations forces will remain in Kosovo beyond then, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says.

In an interview with the daily Politika, Ban said the tribunal was considering the possibility of completing its work by the end of 2013.

He said back-up mechanisms should be prepared if Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic were not arrested by then, B92 News, the Serbian broadcaster, reported.

As far as the United Nations' stay in Kosovo is concerned, he said the organization played a big role in coordination with the European Union.

"There is no set deadline for withdrawal. We have a Security Council mandate," Ban said.