COLOMBO, July 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger rebels released 34 child soldiers to a transit center sponsored by UNICEF(United Nations Children's Fund) in rebel-held northern town of Kilinochchi on Thursday night, a UNICEF spokesman said on Friday.

    The 34 children set free by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) rebels include 21 girls and 13 boys aged from 14 to 17years old.

    "All of these children will go home soon and we are very glad to assist them in reuniting with their families." Geoffrey Keele, UNICEF spokesperson in Sri Lanka said.

    "Over the past three months, recruitment of children by the LTTE has continued despite commitments the organization made to cease all underage conscription. This is simply unacceptable and all recruitment must cease now," Keele said.

    He said that UNICEF looks forward to a renewed commitment by the LTTE to cease all child recruitment and to release those children currently in their ranks.

    In April this year, an estimated 1,000 children were set free following a split of renegade rebel eastern commander known as Karuna from the mainstream rebel group.

    The government and the LTTE signed a ceasefire agreement in February 2002 but the rebels have been accused of continuing theirrecruitment of child soldiers in violation of the truce agreement.Enditem