OSLO: Philippine communist rebels have announced an indefinite cease-fire in peace talks aimed at ending one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies.

The rebels agreed to the cease-fire in a joint statement with government officials Friday after weeklong talks in Norway.

The government had previously announced its own cease-fire.

Some 150,000 people have died in the conflict that began almost half a century ago.

Negotiators said they aim to complete the peace talks in nine to 12 months.