SRI LANKA ? Tamil Tiger rebel commanders on Saturday canceled a trip to an internal meeting that they had insisted was crucial for upcoming peace talks in Switzerland, saying they felt threatened by the presence of a naval ship.

Also Saturday, a mine blast blamed on the rebels killed four government soldiers and wounded seven others, police said.

The commanders of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam aborted the trip to the meeting in the rebel-stronghold of Kilinochchi because they felt threatened by the approaching navy vessel, according to a rebel statement. The eight-day meeting was scheduled to start Saturday.

A naval official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the ship was present to ensure the rebels’ safety.

The Sri Lankan government and the rebels had postponed peace talks in Geneva so the guerrilla commanders could attend their meeting.