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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka to extend "safe area" for civilians in war zone

Colombo (dpa) The government will maintain a "safe zone" for civilians fleeing the fighting between security forces and Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka, a military spokesman said Sunday.

The announcement came as a 48-hour deadline for Tamil rebels to allow civilians to leave conflict areas and enter army-controlled zones under safe passage lapsed Saturday night, with only about 100 civilians making use of the opportunity.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops will continue to maintain a 35-square-kilometer area as a safe zone which will not be engaged by the army even if rebels are present.

The safe zone located within a rebel-controlled area was defined two weeks ago to enable civilians to escape from the fighting, but most civilians remain scattered in the area which covers 300 square kilometers.

The government accused Tamil rebels of preventing civilians from leaving the areas under their control in the Mullaitivu district, 380 kilometres north east of the capital.

Civilians who left the area said rebels were maintaining a strict control over allowing civilians leave their zones.

UN aid agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross estimated the number of civilians in areas at about 250,000. The government says there only about 150,000 non-combatants.

Among those trapped are 29 Catholic priests and 35 nuns who have appealed to the church for the safe evacuation of civilians.

The Red Cross escorted 226 critically ill and injured persons last week and was making a second attempt to negotiate with the government and rebels to evacuate more people, it said.

According a medical doctor serving in the rebel-held areas, there were about 500 more ill and injured persons who need treatment.

The military has entered what it calls the final offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Tamil rebels claim that civilians have been hit by army artillery fire, but government denies targeting them.

Troops initially launched the offensive to recapture rebel-held zones in the northern and eastern regions in August 2006. The army says it has secured the eastern province and nearly 90 per cent of the areas once held rebels in the north.

In the capital, security was tightened ahead of Wednesday's ceremonies to mark the 61st anniversary of independence from Britain. dpa ad tl

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