Germany extends Kosovo mission

BERLIN – German Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to extend the country's contribution to the NATO-led mission in Kosovo for another year.

Parliament voted 486 for the extension and 70 against on Friday, with eight abstentions.

Under the approved mandate, Germany can send as many as 1,850 soldiers but currently only has about 1,200 there, and is expected to reduce that even further to about 700 in the coming weeks.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by many countries, including most EU nations and the United States, but not by Serbia or Russia.