Rebels seek safe passage guarantee

Colombo: Tamil rebels yesterday demanded guarantees of safe passage through the Bandaranaike international airport to attend the second round of talks in Geneva.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said its delegates will attend talks in Switzerland, scheduled for April 19 to 21, only if Norway and the Lankan government assure their safety. LTTE's chief peace negotiator Anton Balasingham made the demand to Norway's International Development Minister Erik Solheim at a meeting in London.