Sri Lankan warring parties end talks with no agreement

The Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels wrapped talks in Geneva on Sunday without agreeing on any measure to halt escalating violence in the South Asian island country.

No agreement was reached between the parties on how to address the humanitarian crisis in the country, said a statement read by Norway's peace broker Erik Solheim after the two-day talks.

Even a date for a new meeting was not agreed upon, he added.

However, Solheim said both sides reiterated their commitment to the 2002 cease-fire agreement, and they made oral promises not to launch any military offensives.

"Norway will be in ongoing dialogue with both parties to discuss all possible ideas on how to move the peace process forward," Solheim said.

He also urged the Sri Lanka government and the rebels "to allow themselves some time to reflect on the situation and not to draw hasty conclusions or take actions that could increase the suffering of civilians."

Source: Xinhua