Sri Lanka, UN in confrontation on human rights panel (5)

But Russia, which was supportive for Sri Lanka in its military campaign against the LTTE, has expressed displeasure to Ban's experts panel.

"The UN secretary-general as chief administrative officer of the United Nations should apparently have asked the opinion of the Security Council or the General Assembly on this matter. But this has not happened. What also makes us cautious is the fact that this decision was taken without regard to the position of a sovereign state and a member of the UN -- Sri Lanka," Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran has strongly opposed Ban's decision.

Welcoming Sri Lanka's strong opposition to the panel, Iran said imposing conditions against a country which is moving forward after eradicating terrorism is definitely unacceptable.

Human rights groups say they are doubtful of the government having an impartial probe into the alleged war crimes and call the UN to go ahead with its experts panel.

Ban stressed his panel of experts was not an investigative body but a team to advise him on the alleged human rights abuses taken place during the closing days of the battle.

However, according to Sri Lanka's External Affairs Ministry, the island country will lobby internationally against Ban's decision and seek more support from its close allies.Source:Xinhua
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