Opponents of the self-rule plan took to the streets in July

Opponents accused Prime Minister Hari Kostov and his multi-ethnic cabinet of failing in all aspects of domestic and foreign policy.

One key opposition objection concerned a new law passed in August aimed at giving more power to Macedonia's minority Albanians.

But the no-confidence motion was rejected by three-quarters of deputies.

Analysts say the vote was the latest in a series of attempts by the Macedonian opposition to undermine Mr Kostov's government.

Chaos and deterioration are all we see Zarko Karadzoski Opposition deputy

It was formed in 2002, at the end of a six-month conflict between the army and ethnic Albanian rebels.

The opposition argued during the debate that the government had fulfilled none of its promises - including speeding up Macedonia's integration into the European Union and Nato.

"This government has done nothing in the past two years," said Zarko Karadzoski, an opposition deputy.

"Chaos and deterioration are all we see."

'Divisive'

Boris Kondarko, a deputy from the governing Social Democratic Party, dismissed the opposition criticism as baseless.

He was quoted by AP news agency as saying that the opposition had created "artificial problems" for political gains.

The plan giving ethnic Albanians control over several municipalities sparked outrage among the opposition, which said this would lead to the ethnic division of Macedonia.