In their first formal reaction to the governments decision last week, the Tamil Tiger urged Norway to maintain its role as a peace negotiator.

At the same time, their spokesman said they would fight on if forced to do so.

There are fears that fighting between the two sides will turn into a full-scale war if the ceasefire, which officially ends next week, is abandoned.

The government has ruled out any more negotiations unless the Tigers lay down their arms first, and have vowed to crush them militarily.