The Macedonian Army had "limited capabilities," another administration official said, adding that it was not clear how long the army could manage under current conditions.

The final intake of conscripts into the Macedonian Army was in April 2006.

But the Macedonian Army has suffered the worst.

Bulgaria has also donated tanks, artillery, and other military technology to the Macedonian Army.

Britain has already offered to train the Macedonian Army and may be ready to help with the disarmament.

The insurgents even handed over a damaged tank, one of two that they captured from the Macedonian Army.

The Day of Macedonian Army is celebrated on August 18th.

The Macedonian Army is the first in the region to consist fully of professional soldiers.

As such an important yet vulnerable part of the Macedonian Army, it needed protection for its main vulnerability, the flanks.

Villagers and rebels blamed the Macedonian Army for the attack, news agencies reported.