Burmese rebels agree to second round of talks

Ethnic Shan rebels have agreed in a second round of talks that there will be no more fighting between the guerrillas and Burmese government troops, a government negotiator said.

It is the latest reported agreement between Burma's new reform-minded government and various ethnic rebels.

Negotiator Aung Min said that Shan State Army leader Yawd Serk discussed enforcing a December ceasefire and eradicating drugs in eastern Burma.

He told reporters in Shan State's capital, Kengtung, that recent clashes were a result of misunderstanding over the firing of warning shots.

Burma president Thein Sein's government has reached ceasefires with several ethnic rebel groups, but fierce fighting continues with the Kachin minority in the country's north.

AP