Kosovo president Ibrahim Rugova dies

Prishtinë, January 21, 2006 – Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova died Saturday, an official close to the president said. The 61-year-old Rugova had been suffering from lung cancer.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make a public announcement on the president’s death.

Rugova, who came to embody ethnic Albanians’ struggle for independence from Serbia, was diagnosed with lung cancer last September.

Meanwhile his death is confirmed by reports of local and international media.