UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The United Nations will not replace Norway as lead peace brokers in Sri Lanka, according to U.N. officials.
"The heightened attention by the United Nations is meant to reinforce, and in no way to replace, the ardent efforts of Norway to facilitate the peace process," said a spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan Wednesday.
Norway has tried to move the Sri Lankan government and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam towards peace talks, which have been suspended since April 2003.
Annan sent U.N. Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to assess the strained situation in Sri Lanka at the request of Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
The peace has been further strained since the Aug. 12 assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, a vehement opponent of the LTTE. Sri Lankan officials have blamed the rebels for the killing, but the LTTE denies responsibility.
Speaking to reporters prior to ending a four-day visit to the island, Brahimi said that the United Nations replacing Norway was not an option.
"There is no question of that. No one has asked and we are not looking for a job," Brahimi said.
According to the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, the international community was exploring all options to help the government of Sri Lanka stabilize the situation and put the peace process back on track.
