Tamil Tigers agree to peace talks

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Tamil Tigers agree to peace talks: "The move comes less than a week after the killing of the country's Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, near his heavily-guarded home in the capital. The talks will be the first high-level meeting between the two sides since the peace process stalled in 2003. Norwegian mediators described the talks as a significant step forward for the process.

Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen said the Tamil Tigers had agreed to discuss ceasefire implementation with the government. The assassination of Mr Kadirgamar was seen as a major setback to Sri Lanka's peace process.

The government introduced emergency rule after the killing, allowing it to deploy troops throughout the country. The Tigers have been blamed for his death, but deny any involvement. The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Colombo says the rebels are now under heavy pressure to show they are maintaining peace in Sri Lanka.

Before the killing, the rebel group had refused to come to the table until the government disarmed paramilitaries which the Tigers said were operating in government-held areas. The date and place of the talks is still to be decided. The meeting is expected to include both military and political personnel. "