Macedonian forces renewed their onslaught against Albanian rebels yesterday after a brief ceasefire, as the government received fresh EU backing.
The guerrillas in the hills above the city of Tetovo came under heavy fire after failing to surrender or withdraw during the government's 24-hour ceasefire. Instead, the rebels appeared to be honouring their threat to step up the conflict.
Two men pulled up in front of a police position near Tetovo stadium in an attempted grenade attack which ended when police gunned the men down, killing them both. In a separate attack about 12 km west of Skopje, a police officer was seriously injured in a shooting blamed on the rebels.
One of two policemen shot in a Skopje market on Wednesday has died of his injuries.
As the truce ended, EU officials flew into Skopje to support the government side of the conflict. The EU delegation - led by the Swedish Foreign Minster, Ms Anna Lindh, and the EU foreign affairs representative, Mr Javier Solana - met Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, the Prime Minister, Mr Ljubco Georgievski, and the Foreign Minister, Mr Srdjan Kerim, to reaffirm the EU's support for the government.
Mr Chris Patten, European Commissioner for external affairs, warned that Kosovo - which Skopje blames for exporting its ethnic violence - could risk losing aid if its leaders fail to condemn the rebels.