Tamil Tigers warn of war if autonomy demands not solved

The LTTE has warned that they would fight if their demand to establish a sovereign Tamil state in Sri Lanka is not met.

Tamil Tiger rebels on Monday warned they would fight if their demands to establish a sovereign Tamil state in Sri Lanka were not met.

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In their first reaction to parliamentary elections won by hardline President Chandrika Kumaratunga's political alliance, the Tigers said minority Tamils made it clear they wanted autonomy.

The rebels said they hoped a political solution would be found.

If not, "the Tamil people will fight to establish the Tamil sovereignty in their homeland," a pro-rebel TamilNet Website said, quoting a guerrilla communiqué.

The rebels' proxy party, Tamil National Alliance, emerged as the third largest party in Friday's vote with 22 seats in the 225-member Parliament.

Kumaratunga's political alliance garnered 105 and outgoing prime minister's party secured 82 seats.