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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on Wednesday said only a few outstanding issues remain to be sorted out before it can agree for an indefinite truce with the Sri Lankan government.
Its London-based negotiator Anton Balasingham said that differences persisted only with regard to the proposal for allowing freedom of movement to unarmed rebels in army-controlled areas and the complete removal of all restrictions on fishing off the northern coast.
Balasingham's remarks followed yet another meeting with Norwegian peace facilitators, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, in London on Tuesday.
Discussions are continuing on a draft accord that contains terms and conditions for an agreed, indefinite truce.
The team put forward the government's latest proposals and its own suggestions for compromise on contentious issues.
The LTTE leadership would discuss the latest round of talks and inform the Norwegians of their response within a week, he said.
The peace delegation may have to make another visit to Colombo before finalising the terms of the agreement.
Norway is aiding the finalisation of an agreement that will replace the present temporary ceasefire arrangement with a formal, mutually agreed truce with precise terms and conditions.
"We are hopeful of signing a memorandum of understanding for a permanent ceasefire before the present temporary truce ends on February 24," Balasingham said.
If an accord proved elusive before that day, the two parties would have to extend their respective ceasefires for another month.
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