The negative action of the
Albanian Communists on the
Kosovo issue alienated a significant number of its adherents from that border region. Following November 1943, Abaz Kupi, until the
Mukje Conference, was a member of the Central Council of the
NLM, withdrew with others to form the Legaliteti. Kupi was a respected
Gheg chieftain who had commanded King Zog's troops in
Durrës when the Italians invaded Albania. In the early 1940s, three new political factions emerged within Albania after the Italians were defeated: the Albanian Communists,
Balli Kombëtar (National Front), and Legaliteti (Legality). After the outbreak of the
Albanian Civil War, the communists reached Tirana in 1944. The communist 5th Brigade fought against the Legaliteti's headquarters at Tujan Pass.
Abaz Kupi withdrew to avoid further civil war, informing King Zog of the bloodshed. In Mat, partisans clashed with Legaliteti forces, including a battle in Fushë-Aliaj on 9 July where 21 partisans were killed. This was one of their few engagements. The
Allies originally supported the Legaliteti. Being the smallest faction with no significant influence in Albania, the Allies broke aid with the Legaliteti and aided the
Yugoslav Partisans, who in turn backed the Albanian communists. In 1945, the Albanian communists assumed control over Albania at the
end of World War II in Europe. Most Legaliteti members were executed or had escaped to the west. ==Legacy==