Protest turns to party in Belgrade

5:00 PM - By ZORAN MILOSAVLJEVIC

BELGRADE - Belgrade turned into a huge open air party in the early hours of Friday as demonstrators celebrated what they saw as their new-found freedom.

Three trucks full of loudspeakers crawled around town blasting out rave and house music for a huge crowd of mainly young people dancing in the streets.

Bottles of whisky, beer and wine were passed from hand to hand and the air was occasionally thick with marijuana.

Cars with people piled in and on top of them waving opposition flags drove through the city centre, prompting cheers from passers-by.

"This is the most exciting night of my life and I still don't quite believe that the dream has come true," said Igor Popovic, aged 23, drinking beer in the Terazije main street.

A Belgrade student, walking through the city centre carrying a basketball, said he was sure Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic had been deposed by the popular uprising.

"There is no doubt in my mind that he is over and done with," he said.

Local pop music blared from the balcony of the city hall, where opposition leaders were locked in intensive meetings over how to prevent the street party from turning into chaos and Milosevic from regaining control.

Across the square by the federal parliament building, a relaxed atmosphere prevailed, with reggae music engulfing exalting Belgrade youth.

A fire started by demonstrators who stormed the building on Thursday afternoon had been extinguished by the fire brigade. Protesters also took over state media and the opposition said it had formed a new city council.

Loaves of bread brought in by bakers were shared between the demonstrators, who had been asked by opposition leaders to stay outside overnight to prevent any attempt by Milosevic loyalists to fight back.

- REUTERS

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