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| Call to protect S Lanka civilians | Call to protect S Lanka civilians |
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| Pressure is building on Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tiger rebels to protect thousands of civilians caught up in the fighting on the island. | Pressure is building on Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tiger rebels to protect thousands of civilians caught up in the fighting on the island. |
| UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has expressed deep concern over the fate of the civilians - the UN says dozens are dead or injured. | UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has expressed deep concern over the fate of the civilians - the UN says dozens are dead or injured. |
| And the European Union has asked the government to ensure that the civilians are spared in the fighting. | And the European Union has asked the government to ensure that the civilians are spared in the fighting. |
| Sri Lanka's army has pushed the rebels from their strongholds. | Sri Lanka's army has pushed the rebels from their strongholds. |
| Mullaitivu, their last major base, fell on Sunday. | Mullaitivu, their last major base, fell on Sunday. |
| There is no way of confirming claims from either side in the conflict zone as independent journalists are barred. | There is no way of confirming claims from either side in the conflict zone as independent journalists are barred. |
| Mr Ban said in a statement that he "is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of civilians caught in intensified fighting in the Vanni region of Sri Lanka" between government troops and rebels. | Mr Ban said in a statement that he "is deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of civilians caught in intensified fighting in the Vanni region of Sri Lanka" between government troops and rebels. |
| 'Free movement' | 'Free movement' |
| He urged both sides "to accord immediate and absolute priority to ensuring the protection and well-being of civilians, including humanitarian aid workers". | He urged both sides "to accord immediate and absolute priority to ensuring the protection and well-being of civilians, including humanitarian aid workers". |
| Mr Ban said the troops and the rebels should "ensure that all people, including the displaced, are treated in accordance with international humanitarian law". | Mr Ban said the troops and the rebels should "ensure that all people, including the displaced, are treated in accordance with international humanitarian law". |
| The UN secretary general also said both sides should respect "no fire zones", "safe areas", and civilian infrastructure including schools, medical facilities and humanitarian facilities. | The UN secretary general also said both sides should respect "no fire zones", "safe areas", and civilian infrastructure including schools, medical facilities and humanitarian facilities. |
| The European Union meanwhile asked Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama to ensure that civilians were protected in the crossfire. | The European Union meanwhile asked Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama to ensure that civilians were protected in the crossfire. |
| INSURGENCY TIMELINE 1976: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam form in the north-east1987: India deploys peace-keepers to Tamil areas but they leave in 19901993: President Premadasa killed by Tiger bomb2001: Attack on airport destroys half Sri Lankan Airlines fleet2002: Government and rebels agree ceasefire2005: Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes president2006: Heavy fighting resumes2009: Army takes main rebel bases of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Voices from Sri LankaTamil diaspora voices | INSURGENCY TIMELINE 1976: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam form in the north-east1987: India deploys peace-keepers to Tamil areas but they leave in 19901993: President Premadasa killed by Tiger bomb2001: Attack on airport destroys half Sri Lankan Airlines fleet2002: Government and rebels agree ceasefire2005: Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes president2006: Heavy fighting resumes2009: Army takes main rebel bases of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Voices from Sri LankaTamil diaspora voices |
| EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the rebels - who are on the EU list of terrorist groups - must "guarantee the free movement of the civilian population and release all child soldiers". | EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the rebels - who are on the EU list of terrorist groups - must "guarantee the free movement of the civilian population and release all child soldiers". |
| The UN says dozens have been killed in the fighting and the situation is desperate. | The UN says dozens have been killed in the fighting and the situation is desperate. |
| There are thought to be about 250,000 civilians in the area in which the rebels are still operating. | There are thought to be about 250,000 civilians in the area in which the rebels are still operating. |
| A government health official in the Kilinochchi region has said over 170 civilians died in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu regions and more than 720 were admitted to hospital. | A government health official in the Kilinochchi region has said over 170 civilians died in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu regions and more than 720 were admitted to hospital. |
| The army has denied any connection with the civilian deaths. | The army has denied any connection with the civilian deaths. |
| The army took Mullaitivu town - the last major Tiger base - on Sunday. | The army took Mullaitivu town - the last major Tiger base - on Sunday. |
| Separately, the rebels' political leader, B Nadesan, has told the BBC that their top leader has not left Sri Lanka and is still leading the "freedom struggle". | Separately, the rebels' political leader, B Nadesan, has told the BBC that their top leader has not left Sri Lanka and is still leading the "freedom struggle". |
| He said that reports Velupillai Prabhakaran had fled were "malicious propaganda". He promised the rebels would fight on. | He said that reports Velupillai Prabhakaran had fled were "malicious propaganda". He promised the rebels would fight on. |
| Mr Nadesan also said the Tigers would not lay down arms until the freedom and dignity of their people were guaranteed. | Mr Nadesan also said the Tigers would not lay down arms until the freedom and dignity of their people were guaranteed. |
| He shrugged off recent military setbacks which have seen the loss of the key bases of Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass and Mullaitivu. | He shrugged off recent military setbacks which have seen the loss of the key bases of Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass and Mullaitivu. |
| The military says it is now advancing into a 300 sq km (115 sq mile) triangle of land in which the Tamil Tigers are still operating. | The military says it is now advancing into a 300 sq km (115 sq mile) triangle of land in which the Tamil Tigers are still operating. |
| Mr Nadesan said the rebels hold twice that area. | Mr Nadesan said the rebels hold twice that area. |
| The government has vowed to crush the rebels, who have been fighting for a separate homeland for Tamils for 25 years. At least 70,000 people have been killed during the insurgency. | The government has vowed to crush the rebels, who have been fighting for a separate homeland for Tamils for 25 years. At least 70,000 people have been killed during the insurgency. |