By Nick Hawton BBC correspondent in Sarajevo

Nato-led forces in Bosnia say they have made significant progress in their hunt for Radovan Karadzic, following a large-scale operation in south-east Bosnia.

Karadzic: At large for nearly seven years

Spokesmen said they had gained valuable new information about the support network that has been protecting the former Bosnian Serb leader for the past six years.

The 36-hour operation involved hundreds of troops, more than 100 vehicles and 12 helicopters in an area where Mr Karadzic, who is indicted for war crimes by the Hague tribunal, is believed to have spent time in hiding.

The forces finally withdrew under cover of darkness on Friday morning.

The success of the operation will be measured by the next effort that will be made to detain Radovan Karadzic

S-For spokesman Scott Lundy

A spokesman for the Nato-led stabilisation force, S-For, said a number of weapons were retrieved and several people were questioned.

He said a clearer and larger picture of Radovan Karadzic's support network had been gained and this would help in tightening the net around the Hague tribunal's most wanted man.

The operation was prompted by information Nato received in February and March, when two unsuccessful attempts were made at detaining the former Bosnian Serb leader in the village of Celebici.

A raid was also carried out in July on one of the homes of the Karadzic family in Pale, where false passports and weapons were retrieved.

Nato appears to be stepping up its efforts to catch the former Bosnian Serb leader.

The chief prosecutor at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Carla Del Ponte, has expressed increasing frustration that Mr Karadzic remains at large.