UN Security Council demands LTTE to lay down arms
The UN Security Council ordered LTTE terrorists to set free the tens of thousands innocent civilians trapped in LTTE human shields and expressed grave concern at the worsening humanitarian hostage crisis in the tiny coastal area, the tigers control. “Council members strongly condemn the LTTE for its acts of terrorism over many years, and for its continued use of civilians as human shields and acknowledge the legitimate right of the government of Sri Lanka to combat terrorism,” the UN statement said.
The UN Security Council appealed SL government to speed up civilian evacuation and allow urgent delivery of humanitarian aid. “SL government’s main concern is the safety of civilians and government troops are so cautious in their humanitarian efforts in freeing trapped civilians,” Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said to a foreign correspondent while inspecting satellite images of the fire-free-zone.
“SL government respects its obligations under international humanitarian law and that’s why we are so concerned of the protection of civilians caught in the conflict. It’s only an affair that’s just a matter of hours for SL armed forces, but our major concern is innocent civilians and we always wait till the civilians pass over,” the Minister explained.
Many council members rightly consider that Sri Lanka’s humanitarian war is not a threat to international peace and security. Sri Lanka is not on the council's agenda because Russia and China, both veto-wielding permanent members, along with Japan and Vietnam, consider the war between the government and the Tamil Tigers an internal matter.
The UN Security Council statement stressed that the members of the council demand the LTTE to lay down arms and allow the tens of thousands of civilians still in the conflict zone to leave. “The necessity of finding a long term solution without the threat of violence and to addressing the needs of all communities in Sri Lanka will be crucial features in an ultimate solution,” the UN Security Council statement further said.
Courtesy: News.lk