On the Slav-Macedonian side, the president, a Methodist minister called Boris Trajkovski, is the leading moderate.

ECONOMIST: Macedonia's fragile peace | The

Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski has proposed a partial amnesty to persuade the rebels to lay down their arms.

CNN: Matejce

The peace plan drafted by President Boris Trajkovski won backing from European Union leaders, who promised more aid if it succeeds.

CNN: Macedonia peace moves gather pace

President Boris Trajkovski's plan offers rebels incentives to disarm and acceleration of constitutional reforms to improve the status of Albanians, who make up 30 percent of the population.

CNN: Rebels extend Macedonia cease-fire

Both sides declared cease-fires on Monday, and President Boris Trajkovski said he would consider upgrading the status of the ethnic Albanians, who account for nearly a third of Macedonia's two million people.

CNN: Leaders gather for Macedonia talks

Monday's battle in Tetovo, the second in as many days, began while U.S. and European envoys were meeting President Boris Trajkovski in the capital Skopje, 40 kilometres (25 miles) to the west.

CNN: Macedonia issues rebel ultimatum

Boris Trajkovski, President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, appeared on national television on Monday saying recent provocation by groups he described as ethnic Albanians was connected with the tense situation in southern Serbia.

CNN: Fighting on Macedonia-Kosovo border