Sir Holmes says Norway should continue diplomatic efforts

He blamed the Tamil Tigers for killing civilians who are trying to leave their control.

In an interview with the BBC Radio4 Today programme, the UN special envoy on humanitarian affairs, Sir John Holmes said the pause in the fighting in Sri Lanka is a success.

"From what I hear, it is working, and we are hoping that we can get more humanitarian aid as a result. Two days is too short for that."

He said that it will give a chance to the people to get out if they can.

Civilians killed

"The problem there is that the Tamil Tigers are not letting them go. They are not giving people the choice. This is the reason why they are trapped in this appalling situation,"says the UN special envoy.

There was a nasty incident just before this lull was announced, where they killed six civilians who were trying to leave Sir John Holmes

He blamed the Tamil Tigers for not letting people go. "It is just a matter of walking a few hundred metres in to the government controlled areas, where the government forces are".

He said according to the information he had received, already about 65000 people have crossed over so far this year.

"Over hundred thousand people are still waiting there to get out. We believe they are held against their will by the Tamil Tigers and they will be shot if they try to leave", John Holmes told the BBC.

Preventing 'bloodbath'

Referring to the prevailing situation in the Tamil Tiger controlled area, The UN envoy say, "There was a nasty incident just before this lull was announced, where they killed six civilians who were trying to leave".

If the end is going to be purely military, risk will be that it will be very difficult to prevent a catastrophe, a bloodbath. That is why a diplomatic solution is needed despite the brutal military agendas of both sides Sir John Holmes

When asked about a possible solution to the current humanitarian crisis, John Holmes say the only way is to find a diplomatic solution. "The civilians are the last card the LTTE has. Their military situation by geography and is pretty hopeless only way for the LTTE, if they want to stop this is to lay down their arms".

"If the end is going to be purely military; an assault on the beaches, where these people are trapped, risk will be that it will be very difficult to prevent a catastrophe, a bloodbath. That is why a diplomatic solution is needed despite the brutal military agendas of both sides," says the UN special envoy Sir John Holmes.