<b>Monitor meets Sri Lanka rebels, military on truce violations</b>

Shimali Senanayake, Associated Press Writer

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Associated Press Report - The head of an international cease-fire monitoring team has met with Tamil Tiger rebels and Sri Lankan military officials following claims of kidnapping and extortion by the guerrillas, a spokesman for the monitors said Wednesday.

At least five people were killed last month in clashes in the eastern part of the island nation between Tamils, backed by the rebels, and Muslims, whose leader is a powerful ally of the governing United National Front.

The monitors have said the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam have been blamed for 56 of the 76 violations of a Norwegian-brokered cease-fire agreement signed in February.

The Norwegian leader of the monitors, Trond Furuhovde, and two government representatives, flew to the eastern town of Batticaloa on Tuesday and met with Tamil rebel leaders and military officials, said Teitur Torkelsson, the monitors' spokesman.

The team was to hold more meetings, including with Muslim leaders, the eastern port city of Trincomalee on Wednesday, he said.

Almost equal numbers of Muslims and Tamils, most of whom are Hindus, live in the east where most of the cease-fire violations have occurred.

The latest unrest began when a Muslim group called for a general strike to protest alleged extortion and attacks by Tamil rebels and their supporters.

The Muslims were also accused of attacking Tamils.

Muslims form 7 percent of the population and Tamils make up 18 percent. Buddhist Sinhalese comprise 74 percent.

The rebels have been fighting since 1983 to carve out a separate homeland for the Tamils in the northeast, claiming discrimination by the Sinhalese majority. More than 64,500 people have been killed in the conflict.