Rebels and the government of the Central African Republic are expected to meet on Friday in Gabon to finalize a ceasefire deal to end fighting that erupted last month, West African diplomats and a rebel spokesman said.
The rebel coalition, known as Seleka, said after the third day of negotiations on Thursday night that it would agree to a one-week ceasefire and was no longer demanding the resignation of CAR President Francois Bozize.
However, the rebels, who have advanced from the east toward the capital Bangui, are demanding that South African forces training government troops leave the country and insist that a new government of national unity be formed, with an opposition prime minister.
Florian Djader, a rebel spokesman, said a week should give the political figures enough time to form a new government. However, diplomats have questioned the time frame and are hoping Seleka will agree to extend the deadline.
The Economic Community of Central African States is leading negotiations between the sides.
The rebels in December picked up arms against Bozize, who they want tried by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Seleka says the government is failing to follow through on a peace deal reached in 2007.