THE European Commission appealed yesterday to the political forces in Albania to stick strictly to the terms of a potential compromise, warning the country could collapse if they did not.
"One thing is clear if the compromise doesn't stand, doesn't hold up, then things will get much worse in Albania and there will be an uncontrolled rebellion," warned Mr Hans van den Broek, the European commissioner responsible for relations with central and eastern Europe.
Mr van den Broek told the European Parliament that the Albanian President, Mr Sali Berisha, and the country's opposition parties were considering a deal to form a transitional government of national unity which would lead to general elections in June.
It was up to Mr Berisha and the opposition to ensure both sides respected the agreement, the Dutch commissioner said.
The European Parliament is expected to pass a resolution today condemning the escalation of violence in Albania and urging a democratic solution.
Also today, the former Austrian chancellor Mr Franz Vranitzky, special envoy from the Organisation for Security and Co operation in Europe, will return to Tirana. "Mr Vranitzky will present his report to President Sali Berisha and new Prime Minister, Mr Bashkim Fino," an OSCE spokesman said in Vienna.
Mr Vranitzky, who visited Albania on Saturday to assess the spreading chaos, would also seek government approval for the OSCE to become involved in fresh general elections.
In Brussels, NATO voiced concern at the crisis but declined to take a lead role in trying to resolve she conflict.
A meeting of ambassadors of NATO's 16 member states called for a coalition government to be formed, as promised by President Berisha, an alliance source said.
The Italian Foreign Minister, Mr Lamberto Dini, who is leading international efforts to help end the crisis, said it was essential that the new government include all political forces and be drawn from all areas of Albania.
Greece, which has watched with concern as the crisis unfolds at its northern border, said it was speaking to all sides in an effort to avert further violence.