1.   In turn, thousands of Serb civilians have fled before the advancing government forces.

2.   In the north, guerrillas holed up in trenches and buildings on the outskirts of Jaffna city resisted the advancing government forces.

3.   Tamil rebels continued to resist advancing government troops who are inching forward to capture the rebel stronghold of Jaffna city Monday, military officials said.

4.   Advancing Sri Lankan government forces Tuesday captured a strategic road junction inside Tamil Tiger guerrilla-held territory in the north of the country, defence officials here said.

5.   Troops were currently consolidating their gains in the town of Kilinochchi which fell to the advancing government forces on Sunday afternoon, the ministry said.

6.   Many bodies were discovered by the advancing government troops as they reached the town which was seized by rebel Serbs at the beginning of the war.

7.   So far there have been no reports of major engagements between the two sides as the guerrillas have bled off into the countryside ahead of the advancing government forces.

8.   Tamil Tiger guerrillas Monday admitted losing a key town in northern Sri Lanka to advancing government forces but staged hit-and-run attacks elsewhere, killing at least eight security personnel.