VLORE - Albania's chaotic south slid deeper into anarchy yesterday as the country's Finance Minister narrowly escaped from a gun battle in the southern port of Vlore three days ahead of a general election.
Mr Arben Malaj was forced to take shelter in a nearby seaside hotel after rival local warlords exchanged volleys of gunfire during an election rally held in the town's dilapidated sports palace, which was later set on fire.
A statement by the Italian-led international protection force released in the capital, Tirana, said two platoons and two armoured personnel carriers were dispatched to evacuate civilians from the smouldering building.