Zagreb strips communist leader's name from central square

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) - City authorities in the Croatian capital of Zagreb have voted to strip the name of Yugoslav communist leader Josip Broz Tito from a downtown square.

Tito was also the leader of an anti-fascist resistance movement against the Nazi occupation of Yugoslavia in World War II, and the move to remove his name is seen as a victory for surging right-wing nationalists in the European Union's newest member state.

The Zagreb city assembly voted 29-20 Friday to change the name of "Marshal Tito Square" to "Republic of Croatia Square."

The square is located in the heart of Zagreb and includes the National Theatre building. It was renamed under pressure from nationalists who view Tito and the former multi-ethnic Yugoslavia as anti-Croatian.

Croatian liberals have protested the move.