'Excellent news': world hails Ethiopia truce after two years of brutal conflict

Ethiopia's government and the rebel authorities in the Tigray region said they had signed a deal to cease hostilities after two years of brutal conflict.

Here are some of the reactions from around the world:'Welcome first step'

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres heralded the announcement as a "welcome first step" in ending the fighting.

"It is very much a welcome first step, which we hope can start to bring some solace to the millions of Ethiopian civilians that have really suffered during this conflict," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.'Extraordinary efforts'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also hailed the agreement, as well as the "extraordinary efforts" of African Union mediators in bringing it about. "We welcome the momentous step taken in Pretoria today to advance the African Union's campaign to 'silence the guns'," he said in a statement.

Hinting at improved relations with Ethiopia, Blinked added that he shared Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's "desire for an enhanced partnership to support reconstruction and development for all communities... affected by the conflict".'Persevere'

African Union president and Senegalese President Macky Sall...