Home | China | World | Business Annan Welcomes Cease-fire in Sri Lanka TUE, FEB 26, 2002     U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan on Monday welcomed the cease-fire agreement signed last Friday between the government and the rebel "Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam." In a statement issued at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Annan hoped that the pact will soon be followed by peace negotiations leading to a political solution of the protracted internal conflict in the South Asian country. Congratulating the parties and the Norwegian facilitation for the achievement, the U.N. chief reiterated his full support for Norway's ongoing facilitation efforts. The Sri Lankan government and the rebels reached a permanent cease-fire as a crucial step toward ending their 18-year civil war which has claimed over 60,000 lives. Editor:Liu Hongji Source:Xinhua Recommend to your friend email:    China Central Television,All Rights Reserved