Tuesday, May 11, 2010


Albanian opposition supporters block roads across country

TIRANA, -- Supporters of Albania's Socialist Party blocked roads across the country on Tuesday to show their solidarity with the hunger strikers in the capital city of Tirana.

Protesters blocked the busy highway that links Tirana and the seaport Durress. In Tirana police clashed with protesters who blocked the main road between the capital city and the central town of Elbassan.

The hunger strike in front of the prime minister's office building in the center of Tirana entered its 11th day on Tuesday. And 23 strikers have been hospitalized.

The European Union enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele said in Brussels on Tuesday that he was concerned with the political situation in Albania, asking Albanian political parties to solve the problem before the situation deteriorates.

The Socialist Party, led by Edi Rama, has accused the ruling Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Sali Berisha of vote- rigging and called for a full investigation into the fraud, which was denied by Berisha.

Rama told a protesters rally at the hunger strike scene on Tuesday that the opposition will not give in and will carry on protesting until their demands are met.

"We are not fighting for power, we are fighting for truth," Rama said to the roaring of the protesters.

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