Kosovo prepares for historic declaration of independence from Serbia

The Jakarta Post

PRISTINA, Serbia (AP): Kosovo's prime minister on Sundayannounced a special afternoon session of parliament where lawmakers planned to declare independence - a bold and historic bid for statehood in defiance of Serbia and Russia.

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said the extraordinary session would convene at noon (1100 GMT), when the breakaway province's ethnic Albanian leadership would proclaim the Republic of Kosovo and unveil the new country's flag and national crest. "We are on the brink of a very crucial moment - an important decision that will make us one of the free nations of the world," Thaci said