Billene Seymoun, spokesperson for the Ethiopian Prime Minister's Office, says that the government wants to start ceasefire talks with the rebel authorities in the Tigray region, but says they are dealing with a "very vocally belligerent and illegally armed group operating at its own whim and refusing to accept peace talks." The federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels have been saying they are ready to negotiate for several weeks, but no talks have begun as the two sides differ on several issues, including safety guarantees for federal officials providing basic services in the war-stricken northern region. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES