Esat Pasha Toptani, using the uprising against Prince Vidit’s regime and the difficulties created by World War I, began implementing his separatist plans. On August 18, 1914, he left for Italy and then in Athens, Nis, where the Yugoslav government was at that time. After the bargaining and money he received, he returned to Durres and declared himself the “head of the interim government” and “the commander-in-chief of the army.”
