Abdullah Ocalan(64)the jailed leader of Kurdish rebels in Turkey has told his fighters to lay down their arms after decades of fighting for greater Kurdish autonomy.
More than 40,000 people have died in the nearly 30-year conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in south-eastern Turkey.
A statement from Abdullah Ocalan was read out by a pro-Kurdish member of parliament and broadcast live on Turkish national television.
As the rebel leader's words were read out, thousands waved banners bearing his portrait, chanting: "In peace as in war, we are with you, chief."
Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the ceasefire call as a positive development, but said the real test would be putting it into action
The announcement was timed to coincide with Kurdish New Year
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