Kosovo: ex-guerilla fighter to head defense post

PRISTINA, Kosovo—Kosovo's authorities have named a former guerrilla fighter as defense minister.

Officials say Fehmi Mujota, 45, was named Monday to head Kosovo's Security Force. It is a lightly armed force that will have 2,500 active members and 800 reservists.

An international plan that paved the way for Kosovo to declare independence from Serbia on Feb. 17 says the yet-to-be-formed force will initially be responsible for crisis response and civil protection.

NATO leads around 16,000 peacekeepers and will remain in charge of security in Kosovo.

Kosovo's independence has been recognized by 43 countries including the U.S. and most nations in the European Union, but is fiercely opposed by Serbia and Russia.