SOFIA, Sept 4 (AFP) - The self-declared commander of the banned Albanian Liberation Army (ANA), Avdil Jakupi, Thursday threatened to launch a separatist war in Macedonia in an interview with Bulgaria's bTV private television.

"Macedonia cannot be a state because Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski is a criminal who is implicated in the murder of (slain Serbian prime minister Zoran) Djindjic", Jakupi told bTV by telephone.

"Because of this we will rise up and start a war," the rebel, who is wanted by Macedonian police, added.

"Macedonia must become a protectorate of Europe and the United States."

ANA on Monday issued an ultimatum to the Macedonian police, demanding that they withdraw from the Albanian-majority north of the country.

They had set Thursday evening as the deadline for the government to heed their call, but later extended it indefinitely.

The rebel movement has also demanded that the Albanian authorities declare a general amnesty and free detained ANA members, whom they consider political prisoners.

ANA has claimed responsibility for several attacks in Macedonia since late 2001 after the end of an ethnic Albanian insurgency, when the now defunct National Liberation Army (NLA) laid down arms following a Western-brokered peace agreement with the government.