Sattahip (Thailand): Historic talks between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels began in Thailand on September 16 in a ceremony opened by Norway's special peace envoy Erik Solheim.

"We hope this will be an historical event," Solheim told the assembly.

"This is the first of many rounds of talks," he said, adding that it would be a very difficult challenge to resolve Sri Lanka's long-running problems.

Representatives from the two delegations are to address the assembly, which is being held at a resort hotel North of the Sattahip naval base.

After the ceremony the two sides will retreat to the naval base for face-to-face discussions aimed at ending three decades of ethnic bloodshed, beginning at 15:00 hours (13:30 IST) and continuing over the next two days.

The ceremony at the Ambassador City Jomtien resort was also attended by Bangkok's diplomatic community and some 150 reporters.

The two sides represented by four-member delegations have been brought together by peace broker Norway following more than five years of behind-the-scenes diplomacy.