Kosovo is expected to declare independence on Sunday, February 17, 2008.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Kosovo independence imminent
Al Jazeera exclusive
Al Jazeera exclusive
Kosovo is expected to declare independence from Serbia on Sunday, with its majority ethnic Albanian population already celebrating.
Although the provincial government has refused to confirm the move, Hashim Thaci, the prime minister, has said that Sunday would be "a big day, a peaceful day".
People began to celebrate in the streets on Friday night.
Tachi had said on Friday: "In independent Kosovo, not one citizen will feel discriminated against or neglected. We guarantee equal rights and security. Kosovo is the homeland of all citizens."
But political tensions continued over the potential declaration of independence with Boris Tadic, the Serbian president, saying he "will never give up fighting for our Kosovo and I will, with all my might, fight for Serbia to join the European Union".
As he was sworn in for a second presidential term in Belgrade, Tadic said he intended to defend Serbian sovereignty over Kosovo, which his country's constitution proclaims as an "integral" part of Serbia.
Considered pro-Western, Tadic opposes Kosovan independence but not at the expense of Serbia's potential European Union integration.
