DHAKA: Myanmar’s government on Thursday held a sombre ceremony marking the nation’s symbolic unification after the colonial era, but a coveted ceasefire with ethnic rebel groups remained out of reach as conflict sweeps across northern borderlands.

The quasi-civilian regime says peace in the ethnically diverse but conflict-prone nation is pivotal to the success of reforms and Myanmar’s development.

It had hoped to reach a breakthrough in the complex and protracted negotiations in time for the Union Day celebration.

But officials said talks on Thursday between president Thein Sein and around a dozen ethnic minority armed groups involved in the peace process in the capital Naypyidaw were likely to produce only a pledge to continue negotiations.

‘We have to sign a commitment with them, rather than an agreement, after our talks,’ said information minister Ye Htut, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1410 HRS, FEB 12, 2015