US, UK tell LTTE:

Lay down arms, allow civilians to go

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) must lay down their arms and allow civilians free passage out of the conflict zone, the United States and United Kingdom said in a joint statement on the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka yesterday.

The joint statement was issued following a meeting between State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and Foreign Secretary David Miliband at the Department of State in Washington, DC.

The statement: "During their meeting Secretary Clinton and UK Foreign Secretary Miliband expressed their profound concern about the humanitarian crisis in northern Sri Lanka caused by the ongoing hostilities. They expressed alarm at the large number of reported civilian casualties over the past several days in the designated safe zone.

Secretary Clinton and Foreign Secretary Miliband call on all sides to end hostilities immediately and allow for the safe evacuation of the tens of thousands of civilians trapped within the safe zone.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam must lay down their arms and allow civilians free passage out of the conflict zone. The Government of Sri Lanka must abide by its commitment of April 27 to end major combat operations and the use of heavy weapons.

Secretary Clinton and Foreign Secretary Miliband express their appreciation for the continued efforts of the United Nations and their staff on the ground in Sri Lanka.

Secretary Clinton and Foreign Secretary Miliband call for a political solution that reconciles all Sri Lankans, and establishes a meaningful role for Tamil and other minorities in national political life.