But the main goal of forging a grand coalition required tough negotiations, EU sources said. In Western eyes, the ideal strategy centres on depriving the nationalist guerrillas of all plausible political support while driving them out without inflicting major civilian casualties. A big move to defuse the conflict cannot come too soon. Serbia, Albania tighten borders Rebels say they are fighting for the rights of Macedonia's large Albanian minority, who have complained of discrimination in jobs, education and language rights for years, and deny holding civilians hostage. According to the government, some 3,500 villagers are being prevented from escaping to safety.
International monitors say they have seen some indications of intimidation.
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Red Cross said on Sunday hundreds of mainly ethnic Albanian civilians were huddling in their basements in Vakcince and Slupcane, weathering the daily firestorm. Macedonian army spokesperson Blagoja Markovski said 50 rebels occupied the village of Lojane, directly on the Serbian border. Serbia denied any gunmen were infiltrating over the border. Serb-led Yugoslavia said on Monday it would collaborate with Macedonia to neutralise the rebels. NATO also said it had sent experts to neighbouring Albania in response to Tirana's appeal for help and equipment to tighten security on its border with western Macedonia.