Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has ordered the military to stand down from its highest state of combat readiness in the south of the country, a defence ministry statement said on Thursday.

The statement said that Vucic issued the order to “disengage the rapid reaction forces” early on Thursday to Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin and Chief of Staff lt-Colonel General Milan Mojsilovic.

“The Army of Serbia, working with other security structures in line with the order from the Supreme Commander, is continuing to monitor the security situation and is prepared to protect its state and all our citizens regardless of where they live at every moment,” the statement said.

 President Vucic ordered the military to raise its combat readiness to the highest level following reports that Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was visiting the Gazivode lake in northern Kosovo on Saturday, 29 September accompanied by the Kosovo Police special unit ROSU.