Serbia's capital city marks WWII liberation

The Serbia marked the 71st anniversary of the liberation of its capital city of Belgrade from the Second World War with a state ceremony here on Tuesday.

President Tomislav Nikolic laid wreaths at both the Monument to the Liberators of Belgrade and that of the Red Army Soldier before honoring the people who participated in the liberation of Belgrade from Nazi Germany in 1944.

Afterward, Nikolic signed the book of remembrance at the monument, writing, "Serbia is again going through tribulations", but added that during this trying period of tough decision-making, the country was keeping in mind the acts and sacrifice of the people who liberated Belgrade.

Belgrade was freed after four years of occupation on Oct. 20, 1944 after extensive combats of the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia and the Russian Allies against Germany.

The state ceremony was led by the minister in charge of veteran rights, Aleksandar Vulin, who said Serbian people had contributed greatly to the fight against fascism which presented "an obligation to remember the achievements and the victory of our ancestors".

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces, Belgrade authorities, association of veterans, as well as diplomats from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Azerbaijan.

The so-called Belgrade Offensive lasted from Sept. 28 to Oct. 20. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers from Serbia, Russia and Germany took part, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. Endit