Awwal 17, 1432 H/Feb 20, 2011, SPA -- Tens of thousands of government supporters gathered in the Albanian capital Tirana on Sunday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism in the Balkan country. The demonstrators, which organizers numbered at 300,000, officially commemorated the demolition of the larger-than-life statue of communist Enver Hoxha in the centre of the capital two decades earlier. Prime Minister Sali Berisha praised Albania's path from being one of the most dogmatic communist systems in the world to becoming a NATO member, dpa reported. The peaceful rally, which ended with fireworks, was described by commentators as also being a show of force by the government in the face of repeated protests by the Socialist opposition. It has for months demanded fresh elections, accusing the government of having manipulated the last round of parliamentary polls. Four people were killed and 150 injured during one mass demonstration on January 21. The United States and the European Union have unsuccessfully tried over the last few months to convince the Socialists to give up their boycott of parliament.
