Government and rebels extend cease-fire in Sudan for three months

The Sudanese government and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army decided yesterday to extend a cease-fire for three months in part of southern Sudan in order to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians suffering from famine and floods.

The United Nations' special envoy, Tom Vraalsen, announced yesterday in Nairobi the extension of the cease-fire for three months in the Bahr al-Gazal area of southern Sudan.

Vraalsen said that Sudanese officials suggested during their talks in Khartoum that the cease-fire include the whole south.