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/6760377.stm

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

Version 0 Version 1
Yemen rebels 'accept' ceasefire Yemen rebels 'accept' ceasefire
(20 minutes later)
Shia rebels in Yemen say they accept a ceasefire proposed by the government to end months of violent clashes that have killed scores of people. Shia rebels in Yemen have accepted a ceasefire proposed by the government to end months of violent clashes that have killed scores of people.
"In response to the call... and to prevent bloodshed, we declare a stop to violence and fighting," said rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi."In response to the call... and to prevent bloodshed, we declare a stop to violence and fighting," said rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.
The rebels respected "the republican system and the constitution", he said in a statement sent to journalists.The rebels respected "the republican system and the constitution", he said in a statement sent to journalists.
The rebels had accused the government of being corrupt and close to the West.The rebels had accused the government of being corrupt and close to the West.
Fighting flared in January after rebel attacks on the army. In February, at least 80 rebels were killed in clashes with government forces.Fighting flared in January after rebel attacks on the army. In February, at least 80 rebels were killed in clashes with government forces.
Yemen's government says the rebels are followers of Houthi's brother, Shia cleric Hussein al-Houthi, who was killed in 2004.Yemen's government says the rebels are followers of Houthi's brother, Shia cleric Hussein al-Houthi, who was killed in 2004.
In 2006, the government released more than 600 Houthi followers in an amnesty deal.In 2006, the government released more than 600 Houthi followers in an amnesty deal.
Yemen has endured a sporadic three-year insurgency that has claimed hundreds of lives.Yemen has endured a sporadic three-year insurgency that has claimed hundreds of lives.
The rebels mostly come from the Zaidi Shia heartland between the capital, Sanaa, and the border with Saudi Arabia. The rebels mostly come from the Zaidi Shia heartland in the north of the mainly Sunni country, between the capital, Sanaa, and the border with Saudi Arabia.