Mali rebels announce ceasefire

Mali separatist rebels have announced a ceasefire, saying they have now seized enough territory to form their own state.

Disgruntled troops swarmed the capital almost two weeks ago and forced the democratically-elected president out of power.

But since then, rebels have taken advantage of the power-vacuum.

With West African nations meeting to consider military intervention, the Tuareg rebels, who are pursuing a separate state, announced the ceasefire.

But it is not known whether the Islamist insurgents who want Sharia law imposed throughout the region will also agree to a ceasefire.

Mali's military justified its takeover of power saying the civilian government had been too soft on the rebels.

But since the coup, rebels have been able to advance virtually unopposed...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-0...sefire/3936824