Ethiopia rejects calls for ceasefire in Tigray, claiming victory is near

UN says pause in fight against rebels would enable aid to reach province where 90% of people risk starvation

The Ethiopian government has defiantly brushed aside international calls for a ceasefire in the northern province of Tigray, saying its forces are close to finalising operations" and will soon eliminate all armed opposition.

In recent days the US, United Nations, UK and many European states have called for a pause in hostilities to allow humanitarian organisations to reach millions of people who observers say face famine.