PRISTINA, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Kosovo government does not intend to use force to extend its authority in the ethnic Serbs-dominated area of northern Kosovo, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

    "We don't have illusions of extending the authority in the north in a near future, especially with the use of power," said Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuqi.

    Kosovo, an ethnic Albanians-dominated province of Serbia, unilaterally declared independence on Feb. 17 despite the strong opposition by Serbia and the Kosovo Serbs. Serb community opposes Pristina's authority in their localities especially in northern Kosovo with mostly Serb population.

    Kosovo's Albanian opposition parties have criticized the government for violating the Constitution with refraining to show its authority all over Kosovo.

    "I want to underline the government doesn't have plans to use force in order to extend authority in Leposavic, Zubin Potok and any other places," said Kuqi.

    Kuqi said the constitutional authority will cover Kosovo north gradually.

    He said the government is working closely with international actors and local Serbs to intensify minority's integration in Kosovo society.

    Last week local Serbs prevented Kosovo and international police authorities to set up camera system in northern border cross points between Kosovo and the Serbian proper.

    Two days after Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence in February, Kosovo Serbs set on fire two northern border crossing points with Serbia.