S. Sudan rebel group declares cease-fire

KHARTOUM, Sudan - A South Sudan rebel group led by renegade general Peter Gadet has agreed to an unconditional cease-fire and is committed to talks on merging its troops with the army, its spokesman said on Wednesday.

"We are declaring a cease-fire and we are also accepting the amnesty offered by the president as the basis of talks with the government of South Sudan," Bol Gatkouth said, speaking on behalf of the heavily armed militia group.

"The decision came after pressure from our international friends, and the call of the South Sudanese people that the government is serious about reconciliation," Gatkouth added, speaking by phone from Juba.