Serbs have resisted a NATO deadline to remove a series of roadblocks as part of a months-long standoff involving control of northern border crossings.

Dozens of Serbs gathered Tuesday to protect the roadblocks from removal by NATO peacekeepers.

NATO's peacekeeping force in Kosovo had given local ethnic Serbs until Tuesday to take down the 16 roadblocks, or they said troops would do it themselves.

But a local mayor said NATO officials have agreed to postpone their operation until Wednesday, when community leaders will meet to discuss a possible compromise.

The barricades are stopping NATO convoys from getting through to supply the peacekeepers. NATO is demanding unconditional and permanent access to the border, saying its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo is preserving freedom of movement for people and communities.

Local ethnic Serbs say they plan to peacefully stand their ground and resist any NATO attempt to dismantle the barriers. They have vowed to defend their country and their children's future.

Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence from Serbia or the authority of the ethnic-Albanian government. They are blocking the border crossing to stop the flow of goods and services.

An attempt by Kosovo police to take down the barricades in July erupted in violence, resulting in the death of an ethnic-Albanian police officer. Several other people were wounded.