Geneva – Separatists from Indonesia's northern Aceh province remain committed to their goal of independence, according to a written statement released hours after agreeing a three-month ceasefire with Jakarta here Friday.

The Free Aceh Movement (GAM)'s commitments to achieve its solemn goal remains intact until Aceh gains its independence", said the GAM's statement.

The accord, signed in Geneva by representatives of the Indonesian government and the GAM, was an agreement from both sides to "explore means to stop violence in Aceh", it said.

But it added the move did not mean GAM is "becoming weaker in its struggle for the independence of Aceh." And it said: "It was clearly and firmly explained that there was no agenda for political solution for Aceh."

The truce due to start on June 2 will last an initially agreed three-month period and aims to reduce human suffering and violence in the restive province, where rebels having been struggling since 1976 for independence.