SARAJEVO/BANJA LUKA, June 18 (Hina) - Police in the Bosnian Serb capital of Banja Luka were forced to use water cannons on Monday to stop several thousand protesters from preventing the laying of a foundation stone for the
reconstruction of the town's mosque, demolished in 1993. Strong police cordons were deployed on Banja Luka streets from the early morning hours to provide security for the laying of the foundation stone. Police blocked all access to the location where the new mosque will be built. The foundation stone was laid shortly after 11.00 hours. In attendance were senior Bosnian Serb officials, representatives of Bosnian state authorities and the international community. The head of the Islamic community, Mustafa Ceric, said on this occasion the reconstruction of the mosque would help restore coexistence among Bosnia's entire population. Despite efficient security measures, several
SARAJEVO/BANJA LUKA, June 18 (Hina) - Police in the Bosnian Serb
capital of Banja Luka were forced to use water cannons on Monday to
stop several thousand protesters from preventing the laying of a
foundation stone for the reconstruction of the town's mosque,
demolished in 1993.
Strong police cordons were deployed on Banja Luka streets from the
early morning hours to provide security for the laying of the
foundation stone. Police blocked all access to the location where
the new mosque will be built.
The foundation stone was laid shortly after 11.00 hours. In
attendance were senior Bosnian Serb officials, representatives of
Bosnian state authorities and the international community.
The head of the Islamic community, Mustafa Ceric, said on this
occasion the reconstruction of the mosque would help restore
coexistence among Bosnia's entire population.
Despite efficient security measures, several thousand local
Bosnian Serbs rallied in downtown Banja Luka, shouting abuse and
protesting against the reconstruction of the town's mosque. They
hurled stones at the police and attempted to break through police
barricades in several places.
The protesters became very violent around noon, forcing police to
resort to water cannons to stop them from gaining access to the
reconstruction site.
(hina) ha