Militants declare ceasefire

Nigeria's main militant group said yesterday it had begun a unilateral ceasefire after a week of clashes with the military and attacks on oil installations which cut output in Africa's top producer.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) launched strikes against pipelines, flow stations and other oil and gas facilities last Sunday in response to what it said were ground and air strikes by the military against one of its bases.

"Effective 0100 hours (0000 GMT) September 21, exactly one week after we launched our reprisal, MEND will begin a unilateral ceasefire till further notice," the group said in an e-mailed statement.