Yugoslav law-enforcement agencies have acted in conformity with laws of their country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said.

"Any external pressure on the Yugoslav leadership in connection with this matter would not only mean interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, but could also weaken democratic forces in the country, which contradict the interests of stabilization in the Balkans," he added.

The spokesman meanwhile called for international support for the present-day Yugoslav leadership, in face of increasingly difficult situation in the Balkans.

Yugoslav police commandos made two overnight attempts early Saturday morning to arrest former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic in his residence in the Belgrade Suburb, but received resistance.

In the second attempt masked rangers clashed with Milosevic's bodyguards amid gunfire.

With police still surrounding the walled compound, Yugoslav Interior Minister Dusan Mihajlovic told a news conference: " Milosevic will be under house arrest until he agrees to show up in front of an investigating judge."

He said Milosevic was being charged with abuse of office and financial crimes but he denied the intent to send Milosevic to the UN war crimes tribunal in the Hague, as the West has demanded.

Milosevic and some of his close aides are wanted by the court for alleged war crimes committed in Bosnia and Kosovo in the past few years. Milosevic however has denied all accusations.

Earlier Friday, US President George W. Bush again called for the arrest of Milosevic, a precondition for continued US financial aid. Washington has also threatened to re-impose sanctions against the Balkan country.

(Chinadaily.com.cn 04/01/2001)