The Macedonian army has resumed shelling ethnic Albanian rebels in the northeast mountains. Talks were reported to be under way on how to evacuate thousands of civilians trapped in the fighting.
Reports from the area indicate that detonations are coming from an area close to the village of Lipkovo where most of the civilians from neighbouring settlements have been concentrated. The village itself has not been hit.
The shelling is apparently gradually gaining pace and helicopters hovered over the area. Army reinforcements moved in a convoy of tanks, armoured personnel carries and buses.
State radio said the Red Cross was mediating in talks with the government and the rebels on the evacuation of civilians from Lipkovo.
The Red Cross declined to comment, saying it needed discretion for the sake of the civilians.
A commander of the National Liberation Army guerrilla force calling himself Shpati told Reuters that talks were underway but the civilians objected to some conditions proposed by the government.