Muslim National Alliance has welcomed the decision of the President to invite Norway as facilitator

'We applaud President Rajapakse's move to invite Norway to continue with its role in the Peace Process', Hafiz Nazeer Ahamed leader of the Muslim National Alliance said in a press release.

Responding to the President's change of stand with regards to agreeing to hold talks with the LTTE in a foreign country Nazeer Ahmed said it was a move in the right direction and also indicates the President's desire to bring peace to the war-torn country.

Whilst praising the positive aspects of the Government Nazeer Ahmed drew a bleak picture of the situation in the East in which Muslims have faced the brunt of attacks by unidentified armed groups, hell bent on creating a situation that could lead to war.

He said it was the Government's responsibility not only to protect its citizens but also to give them confidence that the authorities have their best interests at heart.

Presently the Muslims in the East are being treated like nobody's children, the MNA leader, said. He said on November 18th nearly 20 Muslims have been killed by unidentified groups alluded to earlier for no other reason than the fact that they were Muslims.

This is a deplorable state of affairs and the Government must step in and assume its responsibilities to protect civilians and maintain law and order in the region, especially in hot spots like Akkaraipattu, Kattankudy, Thoppur and Eravur.