Rebel Tamil Tigers are 'executed'

The pair were among a group of breakaway Tamil Tigers held in the east

Tamil Tigers rebels say they have executed two suspected members of a rival faction in eastern Sri Lanka.

The pair were among 13 people who the rebels say were detained last week because they were loyal to the breakaway commander, Colonel Karuna.

The Tigers accused them of planning to carry out armed attacks against their members and supporters.

However, news of the executions could not be confirmed as the rebels do not allow outside access to their areas.

A split in the rebel movement earlier this year ended in June when Colonel Karuna fled from his base in the jungles of eastern Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government later acknowledged that some officers and men of the Sri Lankan army helped him to escape.