Myanmar govt signs deal with armed group

YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar's state media said the central government has reached a preliminary peace agreement with an armed group belonging to the Mon ethnic minority.

The state-run Myanmar Ahlin reported on Monday that the deal was agreed over the weekend with the New Mon State Party. Similar peace agreements have been reached in recent months between the government and other ethnic groups, including the Karen, Shan, Chin, Wa and Kokang minorities.

The government and the Mon minority reached an initial cease-fire earlier this month after state-level mediators held talks with the group.