Tamil guerrilla chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has vowed to remain in the peace process with the Sri Lankan government and honour a ceasefire agreement, but wants political stability in the south to continue the peace process.

The assurance was given during a two-hour long discussion between Prabhakaran and a Norwegian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen at an undisclosed location in the guerrilla –controlled Kilinochchi region.

Rebel political wing leader S . P. Thamilselvan later briefing journalists about the talks between Prabhakaran and the Norwegian delegation told reporters that his leader had made clear to the delegation that they also wanted political stability not uncertainty to continue with the peace process.

'However the LTTE will remain in the peace process and continue to adhere to the cease-fire agreement', Thamilselvan declared.

He said that the LTTE leader had sought a guarantee for the safety of their members carrying out political activists in areas controlled by government troops in the north and eastern parts of the country.

Thamilselvan during his briefing referring to the political crisis in the south said that his movement did not have a clear idea as to with whom they can continue the peace talks.

He said that the crisis and confusion in the south has undermined the trust the Tamil people had in the peace process.

Immediately after the talks the Norwegian delegation arrived in Colombo for talks with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

All negotiators involved in peace talks on behalf of the government including Prof. G.L.Peiris, Rauf Hakeem and Milinda Moragoda were present at the talks.

Norway is expected to issue a statement on the current status of the peace process as confusion and uncertainty of the peace process continued, but in a brief comment Helgesen told reporters that the LTTE had expressed willingness to recommence talks as early as possible.

Earlier Prof. Peiris told journalists that Norway also had expressed concerns about the divided responsibility with President Kumaratunga holding the defence portfolio and the government in charge of the peace process.

'The Prime Minister during the talks with the President on Wednesday made it very clear that it would be impossible to continue the peace process if the responsibilities were divided', Prof. Peiris said.

The Tamil guerrillas for the first time were making their position clear about the peace process after the political crisis unfolded in the country last week.

The government has refused to continue with the peace process with President Kumaratung holding the defence portfolio, but have down played that they were demanding the three ministries back.

The government has taken up the position that the defence portfolio was crucial as it was interlinked with the peace process and the cease-fire agreement.

They have made no mention about the portfolio of interior and mass communication.