The Ethiopian government has reiterated that it will not sit for dialogue with the outlawed Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Ambassador Dina Mufti, spokesman for Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters on Friday there was no room for dialogue with the TPLF leadership, which has been declared “illegal.”

He said the government informed diplomats and international stakeholders that it would not change its decision regarding the TPLF. “As for the dialogue, there is an interim administration in Tigray. If necessary, the interim administration would hold discussions with civil society; community leaders. However, it is not possible to hold talks with those who committed crimes; it is out of the question,” he said.

However, Getachew Reda, a member of the TPLF Executive Committee, told BBC that the TPLF was ready to negotiate.

“While we would not submit to any arm-twisting, we remain beholden to the need for peace,” he was quoted as saying.

Despite Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s claim at the weekend that his forces had “completed” their operations in the region, TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael has vowed to continue fighting as long as federal “invaders” are on Tigrayan soil”, according to AFP.