Des Browne Named As Sri Lanka Envoy

The former defence secretary Des Browne was today named as the prime minister's special envoy to Sri Lanka.

Gordon Brown made the announcement as he appeared before the Commons liaison committee to answer questions about the government's domestic and foreign policy.

The south Asian island state has been engulfed in violence in recent months after the president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, launched a large military offensive to end the Tiger Tamil rebels' 30-year-long separatist insurgency.

Downing Street said Browne's immediate priorities would be humanitarian work in the north of Sri Lanka and a political effort to bring about a lasting peace.

Browne was defence secretary until last autumn, when he left the government. His post was taken by John Hutton.

The International Committee of the Red Cross says fighting between the Tigers and government forces in the north has claimed hundreds of civilian lives and trapped tens of thousands of people.

In a statement, No 10 said: "As special envoy, he will work closely with the Sri Lankan government, leaders from all communities in Sri Lanka, international agencies and the wider international community."