Tony Blair had already pledged to send 100 police from the UK to Kosovo later this year to help restore an impartial civilian security presence.

About 60 officers are expected to come from Northern Ireland, as the RUC is the only UK force who routinely patrol carrying guns, and have experience of regularly policing flash point civil disturbances.

A spokesman for the RUC said he could not yet confirm whether RUC officers will go to the Yugoslav province.

He said: "We are aware that the government has a requirement to send 100 officers to Kosovo.

The RUC are the only routinely armed police force in the UK

"It is indicated that RUC officers of all ranks should be represented on that delegation.

He added that RUC officers are already involved in working with United Nations peace-keeping forces in Eastern Europe.

"There are already RUC officers operating successfully with the UN in Bosnia,'' he said.

Controversial role

The role of the RUC in Northern Ireland is currently the subject of a review by a commission head by the former Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten.

Unionists want the force to remain largely unchanged, while many nationalists would like to see it radically altered, or even scrapped altogether.

Troops from the Royal Irish Regiment are due to replace British Paratroopers, who are finishing their tour of duty in Kosovo on Saturday.

Mr Blair is on the second day of his tour of the region where has met British peace keeping troops and seen the widespread destruction.