Khartoum, eastern rebels sign truce

The Sudanese government and east Sudan rebels have signed a ceasefire deal following talks in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, Aljazeera reported June 19, 2006:

The two sides on Monday also agreed on a set of principles for negotiating a full peace agreement.

The deals were signed by Mustafa Osman Ismail, a Sudanese presidential adviser, and Musa Mohamed Ahmed, the head of the Eastern Front.

"We are only at the beginning of the road, we have a long way to go," Ismail said.

"The Eastern Front will continue discussions for a lasting peaceful settlement," added Ahmed.

The talks began on June 13 after Omar al-Beshir, the Sudanese president, and his Eritrean counterpart, Assaias Afeworki, held a rare meeting in Khartoum, which analysts believe boosted the chances of a truce.