Government officials and rebel leaders agree on pact aimed to end one of world's longest-running civil conflicts.
Burmese government and one of the country's most prominent ethnic rebel groups, the Karen National Union (KNU), have signed a ceasefire after decades of civil conflict.
A delegation of ministers from the capital Naypyidaw and senior members of the KNU signed the pact in Hpa-an, the capital of eastern Karen state, an AFP news agency reporter witnessed on Thursday.
The military-dominated government, which came to power in March last year after decades of outright army rule, has been trying to reach out to ethnic groups as part of reforms seemingly aimed at ending its isolated status.
Civil war has gripped parts of the country since its independence in 1948, and an end to the conflicts, as well as alleged human rights abuses involving government troops, is a key demand of the international community.
'This time we trust them'
Prior to the negotiations, a leading KNU member known as Brigadier General Johnny expressed optimism over the talks with the government.
"This time they didn't ask us to give up our arms, they just want to work for equal rights for ethnic groups," he told the AFP news agency. "This time we trust them." But he added: "We have been fighting for 60 years and one meeting alone will not end it."
(Ref: www.aljazeera.com)
