Serbs who live in Kosovo are encouraged by the visit of Serbian President Boris Tadic, who spent Christmas with them Saturday at the Visoki Decani monastery.

As Serbs from the enclaves who attended the liturgy told Tanjug, this is a sign of support and encouragement for them to remain in Kosovo.

"I think the Serbian president chose the right place. The Visoki Decani monastery instills confidence and strength and his visit will encourage all Serbs in the enclaves," Djordje Stanojevic from Djakovica told Tanjug.

He said that with this visit the president has shown he is standing by the people in the enclaves, whose freedom of movement is limited.

"His visit is a sign of support at the right moment," Stanojevic said.

Petko Pesic from Klina also sees the president's visit as great encouragement. He said he and his family returned to Klina in 2006 and have had no problems in daily life.

Others who came out for the service also spoke positively about the president's visit to Decani, with some saying he should come to Kosovo more often.

In their opinion, this is support to Kosovo Serbs to persevere.

Tadic spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Visoki Decani monastery.

He arrived there Friday, when he talked with monks and attended the burning of oak tree branches.

He spent the night at the monastery and attended the Christmas liturgy Saturday morning.

The monastery, located in Metohija, is the biggest and best preserved medieval monastery in Serbia, known for its 14th century frescoes.

The town of Decani is now populated exclusively by Albanians, and the monastery is guarded by an Italian KFOR contingent.