DHAKA: South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar has said there must be proper negotiations before the rebels can agree to a truce with the government.

He was speaking after the government said it had agreed to an immediate end to fighting, in a declaration welcomed by East African leaders in Nairobi, reports BBC.

Fighting continued on Friday in the oil town of Malakal, Upper Nile State.

The first UN reinforcements have arrived to help control civilians seeking shelter at UN compounds.

About 63,000 people have turned to the UN for help, among more than 121,600 who have fled their homes in the world`s newest state. At least 1,000 people have died in the fighting.

Unmiss Police Commissioner Fred Yiga: "Our biggest challenge right now is the protection of civilians."

President Salva Kiir is engaged in a deadly power struggle with Mr Machar, his former vice-president, since accusing him of a coup attempt. Members of Mr Kiir`s Dinka ethnic group and Mr Machar`s Nuer community have both been targeted.

The government has freed two of Mr Machar`s allies from detention, partially meeting a rebel demand for the release of 11 coup plotters.

US envoy Donald Booth said in Juba he hoped the freed detainees would "participate in a constructive manner in the efforts to bring about peace... and resolve the political issues that sparked this conflict".

BDST: 0905 HRS, DEC 28, 2013
RS