Fighting tests Macedonia ceasefire

Macedonian soldier on watch outside Tetovo

Macedonian Government forces clashed with ethnic Albanian rebels on Sunday morning in what Nato officials called a major violation of a 17-day-old ceasefire.

A Macedonian defence ministry spokesman blamed the insurgents, saying government forces had come under attack in villages above of the town of Tetovo.

After several hours of gunfire, Western diplomats are said to have secured agreement from both sides to end the fighting.

Two Macedonian soldiers were reported to have been wounded.

Weapons fire

Tetovo residents reported machine gun, mortar and small arms fire in villages above the town.

Macedonians protest at peace proposals

Tetovo is regarded as the unofficial capital of Macedonia's ethnic Albanian minority.

In March it was the scene of a month of fighting between the rebels and government forces.

A ceasefire brokered by the European Union has been in place for 17 days, despite skirmishes.

Stalled talks

The European Union has taken a prominent role in negotiations to find a political settlement in Macedonia but talks have stalled in recent days.

The talks have become deadlocked over proposals by Western envoys to raise the status of the Albanian language.

The Albanian rebels say they are fighting to end discrimination.

The Macedonian authorities argue the rebels are trying to seize territory in order to secede from the country.