KABUL, July 19 (Reuters) - A wanted rebel leader in Afghanistan, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, has declared a ceasefire against the government, a statement signed by Hekmatyar said.

The statement, aired by a private television and circulated in Kabul, said:

"Members of Hezb-i-Islami have stopped and refrained from brother killing and from the destruction of the country and assumed political activity," the statement said.

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