Macedonian helicopters bomb rebel positions

Macedonian helicopters have bombed ethnic Albanian rebels just south of Tetovo.

Two MI-24 attack helicopters hit rebel positions on Mount Sar Planina outside the country's second largest city.

The bombardment came hours after rebels sent two shells into the city, injuring four people.

A trail of blood 100ft long stained the main street after the explosion and local residents pointed to the craters, screaming: "Terrorists! Terrorists!"

The escalation in fighting came after Macedonia's prime minister warned that his government's drive to repel the rebels was not over.

Heavy artillery was also being used on another front outside the capital Skopje, 35 kilometres (20 miles) to the east.

The rebels, meanwhile, seemed unmoved by the pledges of government action and appeared ready to confront any attack.

In Gajre, 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) outside the centre of Tetovo, it was clear that the insurgents had neither retreated nor advanced. Rebels and Macedonian gunners exchanged fire on several occasions in the early afternoon.