Kosovo Albanians celebrate, Serbs prepare protests

Kosovo Albanians celebrated the unilateral independence declaration with fireworks and music last night. Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and President Fatmir Sejdiu addressed the crowds gathered on the streets of Pristina at about 11 p.m., ending the celebrations organized by the temporary Kosovo institutions with a massive fireworks display. Kosovo Albanians celebrate, Serbs prepare protests The two Kosovo leaders congratulated the people for the proclamation of independence and reiterated that Kosovo would be a "democratic country in which all citizens would have equal rights to work and live." The celebrations began with a ceremonial concert of the Kosovo philharmonic held in the "October 1" hall in Pristina and continued with a concert of Kosovo’s most popular singers in the main square. The turnout was massive on the streets, despite the very cold temperatures, and the celebration lasted deep into the night. According to B92’s correspondent in Pristina, the scene in the city today is normal. The streets however are filled with garbage left over from the celebrations, where free food and drinks were handed out. One interesting detail is that there were no meetings scheduled for today of the assembly or any other institutions, despite the fact that many laws need to be adopted quickly. In the northern Kosovska Mitrovica, however, and the scattered enclaves in Kosovo in which Serbs live, there was little activity last night. There were two explosions in Zubin Potok in northern Kosovo. At about 2:20 am an explosive device was thrown into the backyard of the UNMIK court in Zubin Potok. Kosovo Police Service spokesman Besim Hoti told B92 that one UNMIK vehicle was damaged in the explosion. He said that minutes later, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at another UNMIK vehicle. B92’s correspondent says that the situation in Kosovska Mitrovica is calm and that people are going about their business in a regular manner. However, protests have been announced for 12 p.m. in the city’s main square, organized by Serbian municipal officials. Albanians in southern Serbia did not have a public celebration of the independence proclamation. The situation was peaceful last night in Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja. Celebrations in downtown Pristina (FoNet)

Kosovo Albanians celebrate, Serbs prepare protests

The two Kosovo leaders congratulated the people for the proclamation of independence and reiterated that Kosovo would be a "democratic country in which all citizens would have equal rights to work and live."

The celebrations began with a ceremonial concert of the Kosovo philharmonic held in the "October 1" hall in Priština and continued with a concert of Kosovo’s most popular singers in the main square.

The turnout was massive on the streets, despite the very cold temperatures, and the celebration lasted deep into the night.

According to B92’s correspondent in Priština, the scene in the city today is normal. The streets however are filled with garbage left over from the celebrations, where free food and drinks were handed out.

One interesting detail is that there were no meetings scheduled for today of the assembly or any other institutions, despite the fact that many laws need to be adopted quickly.

In the northern Kosovska Mitrovica, however, and the scattered enclaves in Kosovo in which Serbs live, there was little activity last night.

There were two explosions in Zubin Potok in northern Kosovo. At about 2:20 am an explosive device was thrown into the backyard of the UNMIK court in Zubin Potok.

Kosovo Police Service spokesman Besim Hoti told B92 that one UNMIK vehicle was damaged in the explosion. He said that minutes later, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at another UNMIK vehicle.

B92’s correspondent says that the situation in Kosovska Mitrovica is calm and that people are going about their business in a regular manner. However, protests have been announced for 12 p.m. in the city’s main square, organized by Serbian municipal officials.

Albanians in southern Serbia did not have a public celebration of the independence proclamation. The situation was peaceful last night in Bujanovac, Preševo and Medveđa.