Burmese officials say two Shan ethnic minority rebel factions have surrendered their weapons to Burma's military government.
State-run media say the guerrillas from the Shan State National Army and the Shan State Army turned over their arms at a ceremony Sunday in Lashio in northeastern Burma.
A top member of the ruling junta, Lieutenant General Thein Sein, attended the ceremony along with ethnic leaders. The SSNA signed a cease-fire with the government in 1995, but the rebels were allowed to keep their weapons for self-defense.
The surrendering SSA faction was a breakaway group led by Colonel Sai Yee. The main faction of the Shan State Army, led by Yawd Serk, remains at war with the junta and is opposed to the truce.
Information for this report is provided by AP.