Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheimsaid Thursday the Tamil Tiger rebels were committed to maintainingthe ceasefire agreement with the government, the Sir Lankan President Office said.

During his call at President Chandrika Kumaratunga's house, Solheim briefed the president on his discussions with Anton Balasingham, chief negotiator for the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in London earlier this month and his meeting with LTTE political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan in Kilinochchi on Wednesday

He assured the president that the LTTE remained committed to maintaining the ceasefire agreement signed in September 2002 with the government, the statement said.

However, he urged both parties to exercise the maximum restraint and refrain from actions that could be interpreted as provocation, especially at a time when peace negotiations were nottaking place.

Kumaratunga reviewed developments since the latest visit of theNorwegian foreign minister in November and regretted that certain statements and actions had not helped create a climate of mutual confidence.

Nevertheless, she emphasized her readiness to explore all avenues to resume direct negotiations while abiding by the ceasefire agreement.

The president also reiterated the commitment of the government to negotiating a final settlement along the lines of the Oslo decision of Dec. 5, 2002, and the establishment of an interim authority in that context.

During the course of the meeting, the president was informed ofthe closure of the Embassy of Norway because of an anthrax scare, and she gave immediate orders for the police to investigate the incident and give the embassy personnel the fullest protection.

Peace talks aimed at ending the island nation's two-decade civil war stalled in April 2003 when the LTTE withdrew, demanding more autonomy for the north and east dominated by the ethnic Tamilminority.

Solheim's visit comes after the LTTE indicated late last month that the rebel patience was running out and the Tigers may return to pursue their "freedom struggle" goal.

Source: Xinhua