Battle of Kosovo celebration without incidents

Battle of Kosovo celebration without incidents

Archbishop Amfilohije of the Montenegrin Archdiocese told the crowd that he hopes that a just solution will be found for the status of Kosovo.

Serbian Crown Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević also spoke at the event, calling Kosovo a "holy place" for all Serbs.

Many of the people participating in the rally held Serbian flags.

Security was provided by a large number of KFOR troops and UNMIK police and Kosovo Police Service personnel.

In the northern, predominantly Serb part of Kosovska Mitrovica, officials barred a number of individuals wearing shirts with the insignia of the former Interior Ministry Special Operations Unit (JSO) from boarding a bus to Gazimestan.

Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardžić and Religion Minister Radomir Naumov were also present at the event, going on to visit the nearby town of Gračanica afterwards.

Speaking in Gračanica, Samardžić pledged that Kosovo "will never be independent from Serbia."

"It will always be in Serbia and Serbia will always nurture Kosovo as its heartland. That I can promise you," he said, adding: "The state will return to Kosovo just like it used to be, that is our responsibility."

June 28 this year was the 618th anniversary of the 14th century battle when a Christian army led by Serbian Prince Lazar was defeated in Kosovo by invading Ottoman forces.

The battle has come to symbolize the Serbs' historic resolve not to give up Kosovo, which is considered the heartland of the statehood and religion.