New York - The United Nations has revamped its mission in Kosovo, which last year declared independence and was recognized by more than 50 governments, a UN official said Wednesday.

Kosovo's new status had put the UN mission in jeopardy. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon last year called for its reconfiguration to adjust to the new reality.

Kosovo seceded from Serbia and declared independence in February 2008, a move rejected by Belgrade, which still claims its former province. Belgrade has sought a judgement from the International Court of Justice at The Hague on whether the move was legal under international law.

Serbia still wants the UN mission to keep its former mandate of 1999, when it was sent to administer Kosovo after Serb forces were driven out of the province by NATO.

Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told the UN Security Council that Kosovo's independence resulted in "dangerous consequences" and called the formation of a new Kosovo security force illegal.

Jeremic demanded access to the Serb ethnic minority still living in Kosovo, visit churches and monasteries, help displaced Serbs and reconstruct their homes. He said there have been 40,000 claims by Serbs to regain their lost properties in Kosovo.

"The UN Security Council must continue to play a role in the Kosovo dispute," Jeremic said. He invited a council delegation to visit Belgrade and Kosovo for first-hand information.

Council members visited the region last year. While some members support Kosovo's independence, Russia supports Serbia in its opposition to Kosovo's secession.

"The UN remains uniquely situated to play a useful role for both sides, by facilitating the resolution of problems as an intermediary between parties that are not ready to deal with each other directly," Lamberto Zanier, the UN special envoy for Kosovo, reported to the council in an open session. The mission has a staff of more than 500.

In addition to the UN mission, the European Union and the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe have deployed missions to assist the government in Pristina in building its institutions.(dpa)