[Iran Press TV Latest] UN Secretary-General renews a call on Sri Lanka's rebel leaders to provide for the trapped civilians in the island's north to leave the conflict area. Ban Ki-moon in a statement on Friday told the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders that the severe restrictions that the rebel group has imposed on the civilians violate the international law on the freedom of movement.
"The secretary-general is deeply distressed by continuing reports from the Vanni region of Sri Lanka that civilians are at extreme risk, with heavy casualties," and the LTTE rebels "are keeping civilians in a very small area of active conflict against their will," the statement said.
"While some have been able to leave or escape, reliable reports indicate that the LTTE have prevented others from leaving, including by firing at them," it added.
"At the same time, the secretary-general again reminds the government of Sri Lanka of its responsibility to protect civilians in war zones, and to avoid the use of heavy weapons in areas where there are civilians, as promised," the statement further said.
The statement also said that the Sri Lankan government should receive and treat displaced people in accordance with international law and "work closely with the United Nations in meeting the protection and physical needs of displaced persons."
Elsewhere, the statement said, "The secretary-general also deplores the forced recruitment of civilians, particularly children" by the rebel group.