Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday called for an end to the armed conflict in Sri Lanka that, he said, was claiming "many innocent victims". The pontiff, speaking during his weekly general audience, said he was "concerned" by the situation in the south-eastern Asian island- state, where government troops are fighting Tamil rebels.

According to United Nations officials some 52 civilians were killed during clashes on Tuesday.

An estimated 250,000 civilians are trapped in the island's north- eastern conflict zone.

Operations to recapture rebel-held areas in the north and east were launched in August 2006 and since then more than 12,000 rebels and 3,500 government soldiers have been killed, according to figures given by the military. (dpa)