LIMA. Peru. Feb I: Red Cross workers have entered the Japanese ambassador's residence daily to deliver aid to hostages held there since December 17. Now the humanitarian organisation is being accused of taking on a new role: Interfering with the government’s efforts to resolve the crisis. reports AP.

President Alberto Fujimori has hinted that he believes Red Cross workers are helping to protect the Tupac Amaru rebels who stormed the house during a cocktail party, seizing more than 500 hostages.

The leftist guerillas have released all but 72 of their captives. but are demanding that Peru free hundreds of fellow rebels from jail.

Fujimori refuses, and has tried to wear down the rebels. He has sent commandos on patrol around the residence. Police routinely blast military music through loudspeakers to disrupt the rebels' revolution-

The Red Cross angered some lawmakers and was criticised in the media when it complained that the police patrols were jeopardising its workers' safety.

The agency briefly suspended meal delivery to the residence on January 24 after armored personnel carriers drove over, white lines painted by Red Cross workers to mark a "safe zone" outside the residence.

"We don't want to impose rules, but we agreed to establish a humanitarian space to carry out our activities and that is not being respected." said Michel Minning, a former hostage and chief Red Cross representative.

In addition to overseeing aid to the hostages. Minning is a mediator in the crisis. That has drawn criticism that the Red Cross is too politically involved in efforts to end the standoff.

Fujimori seemed to endorse that view when he said aid workers should concentrate exclusively on helping hostages.