DHAKA: A ceasefire agreed by the Ukrainian government and pro-Russia rebels in the east appears to be holding.

No fighting was reported overnight after the deal was struck in Minsk, capital of Belarus, on Friday.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says there should now be talks about a long-term solution to the conflict, which has killed about 2,600 people.

However, the rebels said the ceasefire had not changed their policy of wanting to separate from Ukraine.

The ceasefire talks, brokered by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), involved former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, leaders of the pro-Russian rebels, and Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov, BBC reported.

The OSCE said it would monitor the ceasefire.

Both sides pledged to withdraw heavy weapons from the eastern battlefields as soon as possible.

Russia also agreed with Ukraine to restart humanitarian assistance to the eastern region.

"The first batch of humanitarian relief supplies will enter into the Donbass [eastern] region on Saturday," said Mr Kuchma.

"We will develop a more detailed plan from Monday to ensure a humanitarian corridor for steadily delivering relief supplies to Luhansk and Donetsk."

President Poroshenko said the deal was based on a 12-point peace plan that included the release of "hostages", which he said would probably happen on Saturday.

Petro Poroshenko: "It is very important that this ceasefire lasts long and that during this ceasefire we continue political dialogue to find peace and stability"

The conflict in began in April, when pro-Russia rebels took control of key buildings in several eastern cities.

The takeover - which followed Russia's annexation of the southern Crimea peninsula in March - prompted a military operation by Ukrainian forces.

The rebels, who had largely been pushed back towards their strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk, had made new advances since late August.

BDST: 0955 HRS, SEP 06, 2014