Albania criticises Macedonia over clashes

Parliament in Albania has criticised Macedonia's decision to close its border with Kosovo as part of its measures against incursions by ethnic Albanian guerrillas.

In a statement, the parliament said the Macedonian government risked turning a few isolated incidents of violence into a general Balkan crisis.

The Albanian deputies said they condemned the recent fighting and wanted stability in Macedonia.

But they also said that Macedonia's demands for a NATO-guaranteed buffer-zone along its border with Kosovo were unreasonable and would infringe on ethnic Albanians' rights of free movement.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service