Families to visit Sri Lanka POWs

Red Cross officials in Sri Lanka say the Tamil Tigers have agreed to let relatives visit a group of prisoners of war.

It is the first time the rebels have allowed families to see the seven military officers, some of whom have been held for nearly nine years.

The Sri Lankan government and the rebels are currently observing a ceasefire and are due to start peace talks next month.

In January, the Tamil Tigers released 10 prisoners as a sign of goodwill.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service