Warring factions in the conflict-ridden Burundi have resolved to meet in Pretoria to discuss the implementation of a ceasefire agreement that was signed last month, says Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

It is however not known when the transitional government led by President Pierre Buyoya, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) of Jean Bosco Ndayikengurukiye and the Palipehutu-Forces for National Liberation of Alain Mugabarabona will descend on Pretoria for the signing of the agreement that seeks to assist the peace process as well as to boost reconciliation in Burundi.

'Some of the issues to be discussed in Pretoria include preparing for the return of exiled combatants of the CNDD-FDD (Ndayikengurukiye) and Palipehutu-FNL (Mugabarabona) to Burundi,' the Deputy President said in a statement.

The return would be preceded by that of leaders to enable them to prepare for the repatriation of their combatants.

Mr Zuma said it was pleasing to note that President Buyoya, Mr Mugabarabona and Col Ndayikengurukiye were able to hold their first meeting last week as partners in the peace process, and not as belligerents or negotiators.

'This indicates that co-operation for the sake of peace is possible in Burundi and we wish them well'.

Deputy President Zuma, who was facilitating the negotiations, is expected to submit a report to the Chairperson of the Great Lakes Regional Initiative on Burundi, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.

The latter is due to call a regional Summit to review progress made where all outstanding matters in the negotiations between the transitional government and the CNDD-FDD will be discussed and finalised, with a view to concluding an agreement at the Summit.

The eastern African country has been engulfed in a civil war for more than ten years resulting in the massacre of more than quarter of a million innocent civilians.

Former President Nelson Mandela and the late Julius Nyerere had stepped in to bring an end to the war and their efforts resulted in the mid-wifing of a three-year transitional government under the leadership of President Buyoya.

The transitional government was to be led by a Tutsi, President Buyoya, for the first 18 months and then passed on to a Hutu for the next 18 months -BuaNews.