Rebel stronghold 'destroyed'

The Macedonian Government says it has made tentative gains in clashes with ethnic Albanian insurgents in northern villages.

Thousands of civilians remain trapped as the army continues its offensive to quash the rebel movement.

Macedonian army spokesman Blagoja Markovski said a major rebel position with 15 entrenched insurgents and an ammunition depot were ‘‘destroyed’’ in clashes.

The onslaught was backed by helicopter gunships and tanks, shattering earlier pledges of Government restraint.