This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8489361.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Yemen rebels in ceasefire offer Yemen rebels in ceasefire offer
(10 minutes later)
Shia rebels in northern Yemen have said they will accept government conditions for a ceasefire - once an army offensive against them has stopped.Shia rebels in northern Yemen have said they will accept government conditions for a ceasefire - once an army offensive against them has stopped.
Rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said he was willing to accept the conditions to avoid civilian casualties and called on the Yemeni government to respond.Rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said he was willing to accept the conditions to avoid civilian casualties and called on the Yemeni government to respond.
Several previous ceasefires have broken down, some soon after being agreed.Several previous ceasefires have broken down, some soon after being agreed.
The UN refugee agency says 250,000 Yemenis have been displaced by the fighting over the past five years.The UN refugee agency says 250,000 Yemenis have been displaced by the fighting over the past five years.
"In order to avoid... the annihilation of civilians we reiterate our acceptance of the five points [for a ceasefire]," Mr Houthi said in an audio message posted on the internet."In order to avoid... the annihilation of civilians we reiterate our acceptance of the five points [for a ceasefire]," Mr Houthi said in an audio message posted on the internet.
The government's conditions include a rebel withdrawal, the reopening of roads in the north and the release of all military and civilian prisoners.The government's conditions include a rebel withdrawal, the reopening of roads in the north and the release of all military and civilian prisoners.
The rebels must also return captured equipment and not interfere in local authority affairs.The rebels must also return captured equipment and not interfere in local authority affairs.
Rebels from the minority Shia Zaidi sect in north Yemen have been battling the government since 2004. Houthi rebels from the minority Shia Zaidi sect based in the Saada district of north-west Yemen have been battling the government since 2004.
They have also been involved in a cross-border conflict with Saudi Arabia.They have also been involved in a cross-border conflict with Saudi Arabia.
Last Wednesday, Saudi deputy defence minister Prince Khalid bin Sultan said the rebels had been driven from Saudi land.Last Wednesday, Saudi deputy defence minister Prince Khalid bin Sultan said the rebels had been driven from Saudi land.