Albanian President Rejects Call for Vote

While rebelling southerners reinforced their combat positions, President Sali Berisha on Friday rejected international pressure and his opponents’ demands for new elections.

In talks with European envoys, Berisha also refused to bring his rivals, the Socialists, into a governing coalition. He said he has done all he is willing to do--temporarily suspend military offensives against the militants.

The insurgents took advantage of the 48-hour cease-fire, which ends early today, to reinforce their positions and to try to bring some order to areas ruled only by the barrels of looted weapons.

In Vlore, the hub of the revolt, preparations were made to defend the coastal city against government attack. And in the insurgent port of Sarande, farther south, a newly formed leadership committee said it will try to disarm everyone under 18.