SARAJEVO airport was closed yet again after a mortar round exploded next to the runway and three aid planes spotted gunfire underneath them after takeoff.

Serb forces appeared to have backed down from a threat to block all U.N. convoys unless they handed over fuel. The Serbs gave clearance for seven U.N. convoys while refusing nine others. There were no reported attempts to take fuel.

Serb forces and the Bosnian government army exchanged at least 475 artillery rounds near DOBOJ, where the Muslims have gained some ground in the past few days.

Senior Bosnian Serb military officials withdrew permission to evacuate of 22 dangerously ill women and children from the Muslim enclave of GORAZDE.