World court: Kosovo’s independence was legal

Kosovars celebrate the ICJ ruling of the legality of independence declaration as they take pictures at the "NEWBORN" obelisk in capital Pristina, Thursday.
Kosovars celebrate the ICJ ruling of the legality of independence declaration as they take pictures at the "NEWBORN" obelisk in capital Pristina, Thursday.

— The United Nations’ highest court said Thursday that Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia did not break international law.

The nonbinding opinion set the stage for a renewed push by Kosovo for further international recognition of its independence.

Reading the opinion Thursday, International Court of Justice President Hisashi Owada said international law contains no “prohibition on declarations of independence” and therefore Kosovo’s declaration “did not violate general international law.”

Kosovo sparked sharp debate worldwide when it seceded from Serbia in 2008, following a bloody 1998-99 war with Serbia and nearly a decade of international administration.

Kosovo’s statehood has been recognized by 69 countries, including the United States and most European Union nations. Serbia and Russia lead a handful of others in staunchly condemning it.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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