Kosovo leader back home after war crimes acquittal

Kosovo's former prime minister Ramush Haradinaj arrived in Pristina Thursday to a jubilant welcome after the UN court cleared him from charges of war crimes committed during the 1998-1999 conflict. Thousands of people lined up streets leading from the airport to the capital, greeting and chanting Haradinaj's name as his motorcade left for the centre of the town, where he was expected to address the crowd. "International justice has confirmed that our path towards freedom was just and proper," Haradinaj told reporters at Pristina airport a little earlier. Haradinaj, once commander of ethnic Albanian guerrillas fighting Belgrade's security forces during the conflict, was welcomed by Kosovo prime minister Hashim Thaci and other top politicians. Thaci, once guerrilla leader himself, said Kosovo's "trust in justice was confirmed" with the UN court's decision. It "proved that Haradinaj is not guilty," he added. "I wish you a successful comeback to political life," in Kosovo, Thaci said. Local media in Kosovo have speculated that Haradinaj, who served as prime minister from December 2004 until March 2005, might eye Thaci's post in the event of a political reshuffle. After the UN court's ruling, Haradinaj's lawyer said his client "with the consent of the people, will soon be resuming his rightful position as the political leader of the country." Haradinaj, 44, heads the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo party, the third strongest political force in Kosovo.