Kosovo proclaimed independence February 17

PanARMENIAN.Net - The breakaway province of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on Sunday, sending tens of thousands of ethnic Albanians streaming through the streets to celebrate what they hoped was the end of a long and bloody struggle for national self-determination.



In declaring independence, Kosovo's Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, a former leader of the guerrilla force that just over 10 years ago began an armed rebellion against Serbian domination, struck a note of reconciliation. Addressing Parliament in both Albanian and Serbian, he pledged to protect the rights of the Serbian minority.



"I feel the heartbeat of our ancestors," he said. "We, the leaders of our people, democratically elected, through this declaration proclaim Kosovo an independent and sovereign state. The Kosovo power institutions are ready to implement Martti Ahtisaari's plan and do welcome the EU mission."



The situation in Kosovo is controlled by police and peacekeeping forces. French peacekeepers erected concrete barriers and barbed wire fences to prevent collision between Albanians and Serbs in Kosovska Mitrovitsa, Reuters reports.