Pristina, 29 Nov (Danas) - On Sunday, Albanians from Kosovo and Metohija, as well as from south of central Serbia, celebrated the 28th of November which is Flag day, Albania's national holiday. Followed by festivity messages coming from heads of Kosovo interim institutions, central celebration in Kosovo and Metohija was held in Srbica, where a monument was erected to Adem Jashari, the killed commander of the ex Kosovo liberation army. Same day, in Presevo, parties gathering the Albanians in South of Central Serbia, adopted a declaration which asks that government of Serbia and Serbia and Montenegro approve "official use of Albanian language and liberty in using the national flag".

"Formal recognition of Kosovo independence will add to the great act of 1912, when Albania proclaimed independence," emphasized Ibrahim Rugova, the Kosovo president, during his holiday message to the citizens, I which he also pointed out that "28th of November is flag day of Albanian independence which has been cut in half".

Rugova evaluated that in the last five years Kosovo has achieved great progress in all areas. During Sunday's festivities he awarded Adem Jashari posthumous with the "Golden medal of Kosovo hero" for as he explained "his contribution in the freedom and the independence of Kosovo". Rugova awarded the same medal to: Isa Boljetnica, Ismail Cemalji, Hasan Prishtina, Bajram Curiju, and Ljuidz Gurakuci, renowned fighters for Albanian independence back in 1912.

Jashari's monument in Srbica which after implementing of international protectorate in the Southern Serbian province was renamed to Skenderaj, came last week from Tirana, where it was molded. Adem Jashari was a commander of the ex UCK in the region of Drenica, and was killed by Serbian security forces on 5th of March back in 1998, in a heavy fight during which 51 persons were killed.

Nexhat Daci, president of Kosovo interim parliament, congratulated the holiday to Kosovo citizens and Servet Plumbi, president of Albanian parliament.