Arusha, Dec 01: Negotiations aimed at reaching a ceasefire between Burundi's transition government and the main Hutu rebel force ended late Saturday without progress, the two sides said. The apparent failure of the talks between the government and rebel Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD) came hours before an east African summit here to review progress on efforts to end a nine-year civil war.

"Unfortunately, we did not reach any understanding despite three hours of discussions until around 10 pm (1900 GMT)," said Therence Sinunguruza, Burundi's foreign minister who spoke to AFP from Dar es Salaam.

Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, spokesman for the FDD, also indicated there was no progress. Bureau Report