Kosovo premier claims election victory

PRISTINA, Kosovo, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has claimed victory, but Sunday's election results have not been certified yet.

Doris Pack, a member of the European Parliament monitoring the vote, told Euronews Monday the vote seemed generally clean but there were troubling reports from two towns where turnout suspiciously exceeded 90 percent.

Pack said overall it was the best general election Kosovo has ever conducted. It was the first since the territory declared independence from Serbia two years ago.

Exit polls indicated Thaci had a 6 percent lead over his nearest opponent but will need to form a coalition with smaller parties.

Pristina Mayor Isa Mustafa also claimed victory.