Freetown - Sierra Leone's rebels and a government militia agreed yesterday to stop all hostilities in order to protect a ceasefire and prepare for disarmament.
Talks between the two sides are the most significant inside Sierra Leone since a 1999 peace deal collapsed a year ago, plunging the former British colony back into bloodshed marked by horrific atrocities against civilians.
They follow a meeting earlier this month where both the government and Revolutionary United Front agreed to stick to the November ceasefire that has allowed UN troops to deploy in rebel held areas.