Sweden says to pull out Sri Lanka ceasefire staff

Stockholm, Aug 1: Sweden today said it would gradually pull out its staff from the unarmed Nordic Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in Sri Lanka due to security concerns after a row with Tamil Tiger rebels over a European Union terrorism ban.

The Swedish Foreign Ministry said that the around 15 Swedish monitors would be pulled out by September 1. Finland and Denmark have already said they would withdraw their staff from the mission which has been tasked with monitoring a 2002 ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and the rebels.

The rebels have said that only monitors from non-EU states Norway and Iceland can remain after the EU added the Tigers to its list of banned terror groups alongside al Qaeda. The rebels set a deadline for September 1.

REUTERS

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