Jakarta – President Abdurrahman Wahid has agreed to extend the cease-fire with separatist rebels in Aceh province for three more months, a Cabinet minister said Wednesday.

Representatives of the government and the Free Aceh Movement have been holding talks in Switzerland about extending the June 2 truce that was due to expire in September.

"The president has agreed to extend the humanitarian pause in Aceh and we hope that the Free Aceh Movement will agree with this too," said Human Rights Minister Hasballah Saad. The government hopes the rebels will respond by August 15, Saad added.

The truce has been marred by sporadic violence, and some 44 people have died in clashes. But it has ended the widespread bloodshed earlier in the year which left more than 300 people dead.