World Briefing

The separatist Tamil Tiger rebels have forcibly recruited teenagers and a U.N. worker, and are shooting and killing people trying to flee the war, said Neil Buhne, United Nations resident coordinator for Sri Lanka. He did not give a number for the dead.

Buhne said the rebels forcibly recruited one of 15 local U.N. employees into their ranks. Those 15 were physically barred from leaving the war zone last month, along with 75 dependents, including 40 children, he said. The rebels could not be reached for comment.

On Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross ferried out by boat 400 people from a no-fire zone, its third evacuation from the area in a week.