French/Nat Moderate Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova has returned home from self-exile in Italy and declared that he is back to stay. Rugova once enjoyed the loyalties of the majority of ethnic Albanians but now faces an uphill struggle to wrest influence back from the Kosovo Liberation Army. Rugova landed without fanfare at and amid heavy rain at Pristina airport on Friday. It was a far cry from his first arrival in Kosovo capital just two weeks ago. Then he was greeted by a jubilant crowd in downtown Pristina, only to slip quietly away only hours later back to Rome. On Friday his arrival was much more low-key. He, his wife and two children were whisked away in a four-car convoy protected by British troops. As he returned to his home in Pristina he told reporters that this time he was back for good. UPSOUND: (French) Q: Are you back for good? Yes. I am back with my family, and this is a big day for me and for Kosovo. SUPER CAPTION: Ibrahim Rugova, Ethnic Albanian leader Rugova was twice elected president in unofficial elections, and many ethnic Albanians see him as their leader. His Democratic League of Kosovo set up parallel institutions during the 1990s, when the Serb leaders of the Yugoslav province imposed oppressive rule on the ethnic Albanian majority. But his popularity suffered from a decision to go abroad during the war and by perceptions he cooperated with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Hashim Thaci, leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army, meanwhile has gained support. The key question now will be whether Rugova agrees to take part in a U-N-sponsored transitional council, the first step toward giving Kosovo Albanians a say in their administration. Rugova has refused to take part, saying his party does not have enough clout on the body. The council's second meeting, set for last Monday, was cancelled and no new date has been set. You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ae62c86c2111a491ed6f2ebb4ca28931 Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

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