The Macedonian parliament has resumed its debate on reforming the constitution, as part of a Western-backed deal to end the ethnic Albanian insurrection which began in February.

The assembly is due to vote on the changes this week, but there has been concern over the future of the process after one of the ethnic-Albanian parties, the PDP, withdrew its backing from the latest draft.

Correspondents say there is renewed pressure being put on the PDP to change its stance.

All the ethnic-Albanian parties in Macedonia are reported to have met over the weekend, along with leaders of the now-disbanded guerrilla forces, to seek a joint policy on the reforms.

The dispute concerns the preamble of the Macedonia constitution.

The latest draft contains references to the various peoples living in the country.

The PDP wants it to talks about Macedonian citizens only.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service