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UN pulls out of north Sri Lanka UN pulls out of north Sri Lanka
(about 2 hours later)
The United Nations has pulled its staff out of Sri Lanka's rebel-held northern region after being ensured safe passage by government troops and rebels.The United Nations has pulled its staff out of Sri Lanka's rebel-held northern region after being ensured safe passage by government troops and rebels.
Other aid agencies have also left, after being prevented from doing so over the weekend by displaced people.Other aid agencies have also left, after being prevented from doing so over the weekend by displaced people.
The agencies' retreat comes as the army continues a major offensive against the rebels in northern areas of the island.The agencies' retreat comes as the army continues a major offensive against the rebels in northern areas of the island.
The government ordered aid workers out of the north last week saying they could not guarantee their safety.The government ordered aid workers out of the north last week saying they could not guarantee their safety.
The army says it is closing in on rebel headquarters in Kilinochchi after other rebel bases fell in recent months.The army says it is closing in on rebel headquarters in Kilinochchi after other rebel bases fell in recent months.
We are focusing on war. We can crush them President Mahinda Rajapaksa THE CITY OF KILINOCHCHI The capital of Kilinochchi District, it is part of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka Serves as the administrative centre and headquarters of the Tamil Tigers Rebels have their own judiciary and police force in the city According to the UN, 90% of city population is Tamil City surrounded by thousands of landmines, says the UNCity has high rates of infant mortality and malnutritionGovernment ordered aid agencies to leave, Sept 2008
Kilinochchi is the town where aid agencies in the north have been based.Kilinochchi is the town where aid agencies in the north have been based.
A convoy of some 20 vehicles carrying UN and other staff set off from the town on Tuesday travelling south along the A9 highway. Later the convoy arrived in Omantai town in government-controlled territory.A convoy of some 20 vehicles carrying UN and other staff set off from the town on Tuesday travelling south along the A9 highway. Later the convoy arrived in Omantai town in government-controlled territory.
The UN has said fighting in the area has worsened in recent days, and it was time to get its staff and other humanitarian workers out.The UN has said fighting in the area has worsened in recent days, and it was time to get its staff and other humanitarian workers out.
Meanwhile, a bomb has wounded at least four people on a bus in the capital, Colombo, police say. There have been a number of such attacks blamed on the rebels in recent months.Meanwhile, a bomb has wounded at least four people on a bus in the capital, Colombo, police say. There have been a number of such attacks blamed on the rebels in recent months.
DisplacedDisplaced
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says the military is pushing ahead with a major offensive to defeat the Tigers and end their fight for a separate state for the Tamil minority. Aid agency dilemma in Sri LankaThe BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says the military is pushing ahead with a major offensive to defeat the Tigers and end their fight for a separate state for the Tamil minority. Aid agency dilemma in Sri Lanka
Fighting has intensified as soldiers continue a slow advance, aiming to crush the Tigers' de facto mini state in the north.Fighting has intensified as soldiers continue a slow advance, aiming to crush the Tigers' de facto mini state in the north.
Key rebel bases have fallen, and the army says the Tigers have been driven from the east.Key rebel bases have fallen, and the army says the Tigers have been driven from the east.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops were now just 5.5km (3.4 miles) away from the rebel headquarters at Kilinochchi.Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops were now just 5.5km (3.4 miles) away from the rebel headquarters at Kilinochchi.
Both sides claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the other in fighting in Akkaraayan to the south-west of Kilinochchi district on Monday.Both sides claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the other in fighting in Akkaraayan to the south-west of Kilinochchi district on Monday.
In Kilinochchi town itself, reports say a hospital was hit by heavy shelling. Earlier aid workers in the town told the BBC they could hear small-arms fire.In Kilinochchi town itself, reports say a hospital was hit by heavy shelling. Earlier aid workers in the town told the BBC they could hear small-arms fire.
Last week, the government told aid workers employed by international organisations to leave the area, saying it could not guarantee their safety.Last week, the government told aid workers employed by international organisations to leave the area, saying it could not guarantee their safety.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is being allowed to remain in the area. It operates a checkpoint between government and rebel-held territory.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is being allowed to remain in the area. It operates a checkpoint between government and rebel-held territory.
The UN says the plight of civilians in the north is worseningThe UN says the plight of civilians in the north is worsening
On Monday, the UN spokesman in Colombo, Gordon Weiss, told the BBC's Sinhala service that fighting had "increased considerably" with shelling coming close to the UN compound, making it "too dangerous to remain".On Monday, the UN spokesman in Colombo, Gordon Weiss, told the BBC's Sinhala service that fighting had "increased considerably" with shelling coming close to the UN compound, making it "too dangerous to remain".
The government does not allow independent reporters into conflict areas, and many lines of communication to the north have been cut.The government does not allow independent reporters into conflict areas, and many lines of communication to the north have been cut.
Aid agencies estimate there are 160,000 people in rebel areas who have been displaced by the fighting.Aid agencies estimate there are 160,000 people in rebel areas who have been displaced by the fighting.
Leaflets have been dropped urging them to move out.Leaflets have been dropped urging them to move out.
Sources on the ground say civilians are fleeing Kilinochchi into areas to the east, and rebel fighters are going that way too.Sources on the ground say civilians are fleeing Kilinochchi into areas to the east, and rebel fighters are going that way too.
Asked if he planned to obliterate the Tigers, Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa told foreign correspondents the military would try, but it would take time.Asked if he planned to obliterate the Tigers, Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa told foreign correspondents the military would try, but it would take time.
"We are focusing on war," he said, Reuters reports. "We can crush them. Why can't we? They are in the jungle at the moment, and our forces are in the jungle at the moment.""We are focusing on war," he said, Reuters reports. "We can crush them. Why can't we? They are in the jungle at the moment, and our forces are in the jungle at the moment."
Guerrilla warfareGuerrilla warfare
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been fighting for a separate Tamil homeland in the north and east for 25 years. More than 70,000 people have died.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been fighting for a separate Tamil homeland in the north and east for 25 years. More than 70,000 people have died.
The rebels have come under sustained pressure from the government's air and ground forces, and they have been gradually forced to cede territory in several areas in recent months.The rebels have come under sustained pressure from the government's air and ground forces, and they have been gradually forced to cede territory in several areas in recent months.
However, despite recent losses, the Tamil Tigers still hold considerable fighting ability to launch surprise counter attacks.However, despite recent losses, the Tamil Tigers still hold considerable fighting ability to launch surprise counter attacks.
Contrary to some military claims, their core fighting formations are said to be still intact and they can easily adapt themselves to protracted guerrilla warfare, analysts say.Contrary to some military claims, their core fighting formations are said to be still intact and they can easily adapt themselves to protracted guerrilla warfare, analysts say.
In July, Sri Lanka's army commander said the rebels had been defeated as a conventional force - but he conceded that a low-level insurgency could last forever.In July, Sri Lanka's army commander said the rebels had been defeated as a conventional force - but he conceded that a low-level insurgency could last forever.