Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that all the civilians held by the LTTE Tigers as a human shield in the rebel-held area in Northeastern Sri Lanka will be rescued within the next 48 hours and the Tamils would be saved from the LTTE terrorism.

President Rajapaksa has made this announcement when he met with the Sri Lankan migrant workers in Jordan during his visit, the Department of Information said in a statement.  

According to the Department of Information, President has pointed out that the troops have successfully cornered the LTTE into a small shrinking strip in the no-fire zone of Mullaitivu.  

The President has stressed that the next step would be to offer a political solution to the problems of Tamils to prevent fragmentation of the country. "My aim is to provide a free nation for all people to live in dignity and honor," he has said.  

Meanwhile Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said at least 3,765 civilians escaped from the LTTE controlled areas since Thursday morning.  

The military expects more civilians to reach the government controlled areas during the day today as the rescue operations are reaching its final stages.