An official proposal has been tabled to transform the Kosovo Security Forces into a military organization, the Beta news agency reported on Thursday.

The motion was made at a session of the Kosovo government by Security Forces Minister Rustem Berisha along with a proposal to change the three laws governing the security forces.  

Berisha said the changes to the laws would give the security forces a new mission and powers and would transform the Security Forces Ministry into a Defense Ministry.  

The transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces into a military force has been mentioned on a number of occasions and has become part of the strategy for the Kosovo security forces which the government in Pristina drew up with experts from the international community.  

The proposal to create an army in Kosovo has received international support, including from NATO, but on condition that the transformation is completed through changes to the laws and constitution of Kosovo with a wide participation of minority communities, especially the Serbs.  

Kosovo Serb political leaders have expressed opposition to the idea to create a military force.  

The security forces can be transformed into a military through changes to laws but a change of name requires a two-third majority in parliament.