Thousands march on Moldovan capital to demand country unifies with Romania

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More than 10,000 people have taken to the streets of the Moldovan capital in support of reunification between Romania and Moldova.

Union between Romania, who is a member of the European Union, and its smaller neighbour to the northeast looks unlikely but the issue highlights a divide in Moldova between pro-Western and Moscow-backed factions.

The demonstration was peaceful although police said they detained 21 people who wanted to disrupt the rally, seizing gas masks, knives and masks.

The country that is now Moldova was part of Tsarist Russia during the 19th century and known as Bessarabia.

After the First World War it joined what was known as Greater Romania but it was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940.

When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, it became independent under the name Moldova.

It is now split between a Romanian-speaking majority and the breakaway region Transdniestria, which is propped up by Russia.

The former president of Romania, Traian Basescu, attended the rally, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of Moldova joining Greater Romania.

"We call upon the deputies of the Moldovan and Romanian parliament to vote in the near future for unification," Mr Basescu said.

There was no official reaction from the Romanian side.

The Moldovan government, which favours closer ties with the European Union and the United States, often locks horns with the pro-Russian President Igor Dodon, who wants closer ties to Moscow.

If his party wins elections due in 2018, Mr Dodon has previously suggested passing a law that bans unionist organisations seen to be undermining the integrity of the state because they want to join Romania.

Mr Dodon asked those who oppose reunification not to stage a rival rally on Sunday.

"I urge all patriots and statesmen not to march against the unionists on March 25. We should not give them an additional reason for demonstrations or provocations," Mr Dodon said.