KUALA LUMPUR (Mar 7): Prime Minister Najib Razak said today that Philippine militants being tracked after the military launched an assault against them in Sabah must surrender unconditionally.

Najib, who was in Sabah, rejected the group's offer of a ceasefire at noon today.

According to a Reuters report in late afternoon today, when Najib was asked how long the operations to track down the remaining gunmen would continue, he said: "For as long as it takes to eliminate them."

At least 27 people have died in clashes since Friday.

Tuesday's military assault came about a month after the militants entered Sabah to press an ancient claim to the state from a sultanate in the southern Philippines.

At noon today, the self-proclaimed Phillipines sultan, Jamalul Kiram III, has called for a ceasefire as Malaysian troops continued to hunt for his fighters, according to AFP.

Malaysian security forces on Tuesday launched an airstrike using F-18 and Hawk fighter jets in the first operation to end the intrusion by Filipino Sulu gunmen who have holed up in Lahad Datu, Sabah since Feb 12.

They have also been detected elsewhere in the state. Eight police personnel were killed -- two in a firefight in Lahad Datu last Friday and six in an ambush in Kampung Simunul, Semporna one day later.

While in Sabah this afternoon, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a special security area in Sabah to safeguard the sovereignty and security of the state's east coast, reported Bernama news agency.

Najib said the Sabah Special Security Area encompassed the districts of Kudat, Tawau, Kunak, Sandakan and Lahad Datu.

"This Special Security Area will have Lahad Datu as its central command and several temporary cabins will be placed there so that it can begin functioning immediately," he told a news conference after checking on and attending a briefing on the "Ops Daulat" operation against armed intruders, here.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Secretary-General has issued a statement saying he is monitoring the military clashes in Lahad Datu, Sabah, closely.

Ban Ki-moon urged an end to the violence and encouraged a dialogue among all the parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation, according to a statement by his spokesman posted on the UN website.

“The Secretary-General expresses concern about the impact this situation may have on the civilian population, including migrants in the region. He urges all parties to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance and act in full respect of international human rights norms and standards,” it said.

The Secretary-General expresses concern about the impact this situation may have on the civilian population, including migrants in the region.  

He urges “all parties to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance and act in full respect of international human rights norms and standards”.