Dec 10 (Reuters) - Kosovo, which held its first national elections on Sunday since declaring independence from 2008, remains an international protectorate. [BYT268074]
Here are some facts about international civilian and military missions since the 1998-99 conflict in Kosovo:
* The International Civilian Office, representing the 72 countries that have recognised Kosovo's independence, oversees Kosovo's implementation of the commitments of the independence charter written by former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari.
A Dutch diplomat has ultimate authority to overturn laws or fire officials but rarely uses these powers.
* Of the 46,000 NATO-led troops stationed in Kosovo initially to keep a fragile peace between Albanians and Serbs a decade ago, some 8,400 remain, reflecting improved security.
* The United Nations keeps a small mission in the divided town of Mitrovica in the northern part of Kosovo. Its Serb population do not recognise the Kosovo government.
* In February 2008, the European Union sent a mission to Kosovo to replace the U.N. administration and oversee the judiciary, police and customs. Known as EULEX, the mission has around 2,000 police, judiciary and customs officials. EULEX has recently stepped up anti-corruption raids on key ministries. (Compiled by Fatos Bytyci; Editing by Benet Koleka and Kevin Liffey)
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