The Sudanese government has denied rebel allegations that it violated the terms of a cease-fire which took effect Tuesday in the central Nuba mountains.

A Sudanese diplomat in Nairobi, Mohamed Dirdeiry, says the government is abiding by the ceasefire agreement. He says the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army is making false allegations because it is against the truce.

However, rebel spokesman Samson Kwaje says the rebels support limited humanitarian ceasefires such as the Nuba mountain agreement. He charges the government is trying to gain territory before international ceasefire monitors arrive.

The rebels had said six government soldiers were killed during an attack, Wednesday, against the rebel garrison in Tulushi. The rebels say two of their fighters were killed and seven wounded.

The government and southern rebels reached the ceasefire agreement in U.S. and Swiss mediated talks in Switzerland on Saturday. The truce is aimed at allowing humanitarian assistance to the Nuba Mountains region. International observers are to monitor the truce, but they have not yet been deployed.

The rebels have been fighting for greater autonomy in southern Sudan since 1983.

(SalmonCR,files )

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