India calls for Sri Lanka civilian safe zones

[Coventina]

Source: CNN

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- India made a renewed plea Tuesday for the safe evacuation of civilians caught in Sri Lanka's war zone in fighting between government forces and Tamil rebels.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the sanctity of safe zones for civilians must be respected by both sides. The Indian government said it is working out logistics with Sri Lanka to supply medical aid to war victims.

Tamil rebels said Sunday they are ready to accept international calls for a cease-fire, but won't lay down their weapons without a political solution in the quarter-century-long civil war.

But the Sri Lankan government has not made any cease-fire offer as its troops press their offensive against Tamil forces in their remaining strongholds.



Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/24/india.srilanka.refugees/