Tiger rebel vows to continue attacks

The renegades, who call themselves the TMVP, say they are not party to the fraying 2002 ceasefire between the mainstream Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam LTTE rebels and the government.

8216;8216;The ceasefire was between two sides8212;the LTTE and the government,8217;8217; said Prathep, a senior renegade rebel on Wednesday. 8216;8216;To protect our own bases, we must attack the LTTE. It is not to destroy the ceasefire agreement or bring war to the country.8217;8217;

Mediators are desperate to restart a peace process between the LTTE and the government but repeated attacks on the Tigers by the ex-rebels, led by Karuna, are making matters worse.

Diplomats suspect the government is backing Karuna. But the government denies it, saying Karuna is an internal LTTE problem.