The Foreign Secretary of the JEM accussed the government of continues military escalation in the Darfur region.

"Am seeing that the Sudanese government is not serious enough about the declaration of the ceasefire," he said adding, "it is only an allegation".

He said that they will abide by any ceasefire agreement they have signed with the government, "unless there is an attack on our people then at that time we will defend ourselves" he said.

"Surely no one can deny our rights to defend ourselves," he added.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the six Darfur movements meeting in Juba, Jar Nabi, said that they are ready to resume talks with the UN and the African Union (AU) mediators for what he described as a "practical solution to the Darfur conflict".

He said that the mediators did not consider the movements' reservations on the negotiations.

The US sepecial envoy to Sudan, Andrew Natsios, who is participating in the Sirte talks welcomed the cession of hostilities announced by the Sudanese government.

"Well, somtimes the Sudanese government announces ceasefires and then the next stage they go back and fight," said Natsios adding, "we hope they will not do that this time". 

He said that the government should keep its words before pressaure is exerted on the Darfur rebels, " I believed that if you are serious then we can discipline the process and try to push the rebels to the same," Natsios added.

"The government has to restraint itself but I welcomed thier announcement to ceasefire, but we want them to implement it," he said.

The Sirte talks had however entered its second day with wider reactions over the statement made by the Libyan leader, Mammur Khadaffi on his speech during the opening of the talks.

Khadaffi said the Sirte talks can not be successful due to the absence of main leaders like Ibrahim Khalil of JEM and the SLM leader Abdullah Wahid.

Natsios made reservations over the statement of the Libyan leader saying that peace is needed in Darfur for humanitarian assistance to reach suffering in the region.

The UN and the AU ruled out any postponement of the talks.

Direct talks between the Sudanese government and the Darfur Factions are expected to start on Monday.