LTTE recruits 40 children post-tsunami: UNICEF

Most of the recruitments were from Trincomalee area , which was hit hard by the tsunami.

The UN children's agency said on Wednesday that Tamil Tiger rebels have recruited 40 children since the tsunami orphaned hundreds a month ago.

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"We have 40 verified cases," said Martin Dawyes, a UNICEF spokesman in the Sri Lankan capital.

Four of the cases were from welfare camps for post-tsunami survivors. The others were recruited in the aftermath of the disaster in villages under rebel control in the north and east of the island.

"UNICEF is very concerned about the recruitment," Dawyes said. The UN organisation complained to the rebel group last week over 29 specific cases, but he said the Tigers had not yet responded.