PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to Kosovo has delivered a blunt message to the country’s leaders to end five months of political bickering that threatens the young nation’s stability.

“Don’t screw this up,” Ambassador Tracy Jacobson said at an inter-faith conference in the capital, Pristina, on Thursday. She was referring to ongoing talks between political rivals that have so far failed to produce a governing coalition. Jacobson spoke in Albanian.

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci’s ruling party won the June 8 poll, but lacks a governing majority and opposition parties refuse to govern with him, citing rampant corruption. If the deadlock continues, Kosovo could face bankruptcy or new elections.

The U.S. backed Kosovo’s 2008 secession from Serbia and has a big influence over its ethnic Albanian politicians.

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