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Taleban consider Swat ceasefire Taleban consider Swat ceasefire
(about 5 hours later)
Taleban insurgents in the north-western Swat valley of Pakistan say they will announce whether a temporary ceasefire is to be made permanent within days.Taleban insurgents in the north-western Swat valley of Pakistan say they will announce whether a temporary ceasefire is to be made permanent within days.
The rebels told the BBC they would first review government progress on implementing Sharia law in the district - a key Taleban demand.The rebels told the BBC they would first review government progress on implementing Sharia law in the district - a key Taleban demand.
The government had earlier announced a "permanent ceasefire" with the rebels.The government had earlier announced a "permanent ceasefire" with the rebels.
Swat, once one of Pakistan's most popular holiday destinations, has long been blighted by militant violence.Swat, once one of Pakistan's most popular holiday destinations, has long been blighted by militant violence.
Taleban spokesman Muslim Khan told the BBC the rebels were reviewing government progress on the implementation of Sharia law.Taleban spokesman Muslim Khan told the BBC the rebels were reviewing government progress on the implementation of Sharia law.
"Six of the 10 days of this announcement still remains, when the sixth day comes to an end we will see what will be done by the government of launching Sharia law, then we will decide," he said."Six of the 10 days of this announcement still remains, when the sixth day comes to an end we will see what will be done by the government of launching Sharia law, then we will decide," he said.
Pakistan has denied giving in to the Taleban, saying it was a local solution to a local problem.Pakistan has denied giving in to the Taleban, saying it was a local solution to a local problem.
'Capitulation' Ceasefire terms
Last week a deal was struck which arranged a 10-day ceasefire and saw an agreement by the Pakistani government for Sharia law to be implemented in the Swat area.Taleban supporters are in plain sight in Mingora, in the Swat valleyLast week a deal was struck which arranged a 10-day ceasefire and saw an agreement by the Pakistani government for Sharia law to be implemented in the Swat area.Taleban supporters are in plain sight in Mingora, in the Swat valley
Reports said the prospective deal was arranged when local Taleban met Sufi Mohammad - a senior elder appointed by the government to negotiate - to discuss ceasefire terms.Reports said the prospective deal was arranged when local Taleban met Sufi Mohammad - a senior elder appointed by the government to negotiate - to discuss ceasefire terms.
Sufi Mohammad, a pro-Taleban cleric, is the father-in-law of Maulana Fazlullah, who has been waging a violent campaign to impose Sharia in the region.Sufi Mohammad, a pro-Taleban cleric, is the father-in-law of Maulana Fazlullah, who has been waging a violent campaign to impose Sharia in the region.
Following the deal struck last Sunday to introduce Sharia law, the government's announcement suggests negotiations between Maulana Fazlullah and Sufi Mohammad could now be leading to a more permanent deal.Following the deal struck last Sunday to introduce Sharia law, the government's announcement suggests negotiations between Maulana Fazlullah and Sufi Mohammad could now be leading to a more permanent deal.
"They [the Taleban] have made commitment that they will observe a permanent ceasefire and we'll do the same," said Syed Mohammad Javed, commissioner of Malakand, which includes Swat, on Saturday."They [the Taleban] have made commitment that they will observe a permanent ceasefire and we'll do the same," said Syed Mohammad Javed, commissioner of Malakand, which includes Swat, on Saturday.
"We announced a ceasefire and we will take more steps after this. Soon you will hear more good news.""We announced a ceasefire and we will take more steps after this. Soon you will hear more good news."
He said the army would scale back its operations in the valley and asked residents who had left Swat because of the fighting to return home.He said the army would scale back its operations in the valley and asked residents who had left Swat because of the fighting to return home.
Schools for boys would re-open, although school for girls would remain closed, Mr Javed added.Schools for boys would re-open, although school for girls would remain closed, Mr Javed added.
'Capitulation'
The BBC's Pakistan analyst Owen Bennett-Jones says the schools announcement, and the decision to pull government troops out of Swat, amount to a capitulation by the Pakistani state.The BBC's Pakistan analyst Owen Bennett-Jones says the schools announcement, and the decision to pull government troops out of Swat, amount to a capitulation by the Pakistani state.
The territory, a former princely state only absorbed into Pakistan in 1969, is effectively being given up to militant control, our correspondent adds.The territory, a former princely state only absorbed into Pakistan in 1969, is effectively being given up to militant control, our correspondent adds.
Thousands of people have fled and hundreds of schools have been destroyed in Swat since a Taleban insurgency began in 2007.Thousands of people have fled and hundreds of schools have been destroyed in Swat since a Taleban insurgency began in 2007.
The people of Swat have long been caught in the crossfire between the army and the Taleban.The people of Swat have long been caught in the crossfire between the army and the Taleban.
More than 1,000 civilians have died in shelling by the army or from beheadings sanctioned by the Taleban. Thousands more have been displaced.More than 1,000 civilians have died in shelling by the army or from beheadings sanctioned by the Taleban. Thousands more have been displaced.
The Taleban now control the entire countryside of Swat, limiting army control to parts of the valley's capital, Mingora.The Taleban now control the entire countryside of Swat, limiting army control to parts of the valley's capital, Mingora.