Colombo: Vowing not to return to war, Tamil Tiger rebels on May 22 said they were committed to peace through a negotiated settlement but termed the six rounds of peace talks with the Sri Lankan government "a waste of time".

The rebels said they were still committed to a peaceful resolution to the islands out dragging ethnic conflict despite their boycott of the Norwegian-brokered peace talks. The LTTE's (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam) political wing leader S P Thamilselvan told reporters in the northern rebel-held town of Kilinochchi that there would be no return to armed conflict.

"The LTTE is highly committed to peace through a negotiated settlement. Not for one moment do we think a military solution is possible," he said.

However, he said six rounds of peace talks with the Colombo government since September 2002 had failed to build sufficient trust between the foes.

"We agree that it has been a waste of time. Six rounds of talks have not achieved a basis for mutual understanding," said Thamilselvan, who is also a member of the LTTE's four-member negotiating team.

His statement came a day after the LTTE asked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to establish an interim administration for the island's northern and eastern regions giving them a lion's share.

Tigers said they would end the talks boycott and take part in a key donor conference, which Japan is hosting in June, only if the government responded favourably to their latest demand.

"If the Prime Minister demonstrates that he could implement the decisions, it would be adequate for the LTTE to participate in talks," Thamilselvan said.

Official sources said the government was giving active consideration to the LTTE suggestions.

PTI