Macedonian rebels refuse to vacate seized villages

Ethnic Albanian rebels have remained in the four villages in northern Macedonia which they invaded earlier this week, despite a promise to withdraw as part of a new ceasefire deal.

NATO had brokered an agreement with the National Liberation Army under which the rebels would pull back to the positions they held when an initial ceasefire was declared two weeks ago.

Today's setback has renewed fears that the conflict in the former Yugoslav republic could spiral dangerously towards civil war.

The Macedonian Government had threatened the rebels with a full military assault if they failed to vacate the four villages surrounding the northern city of Tetovo.

The rebels agreed to withdraw by dawn today, but a Government official has said they are still ensconced in the four hamlets.

Local television has quoted the rebels as saying they are not prepared to pull back.

The NLA seized the villages and attacked a nearby army base after Macedonia's ruling party rejected a US and EU-backed peace plan aimed at securing equality for the ethnic Albanian minority

NATO secretary-general Lord Robertson and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana are both flying to the country today to mediate in efforts to prevent an escalation of the conflict.

Ethnic Albanian representatives have expressed disappointment at President Boris Trajkovski's rejection of the peace deal, which they say would have given ethnic Albanians more influence over how Macedonia is run.

They said they hope talks on those peace proposals can resume once Mr Roberston and Mr Solana arrive today.