Sandinistas Again Extend Cease-Fire

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The leftist Sandinista government has extended for the 11th time a unilatral cease-fire on offensive operations against the Contras.

A statement from President Daniel Ortega’s press office, broadcast Sunday over the government-controlled Voice of Nicaragua radio, said the extension was agreed to during meetings among the five Central American presidents in February.

Nicaragua signed a temporary cease-fire with the rebels in March last year. The truce was to be the basis for a permanent peace accord, but talks to extend it stalled. The Sandinistas have unilaterally extended the cease-fire monthly since June, when the original one expired.