The Turkish parliament has begun a debate on an unprecedented set of proposals to end the conflict with separatist Kurds in the south-east of the country.

The proposals, contained in a report written by a parliamentary commission, suggest that Ankara should lift its emergency regulations in the area and grant the Kurds education and cultural rights.

It also implies that the parties to the conflict should engage in talks to resolve the crisis -- a suggestion strongly resisted by the armed forces and many politicians.

The BBC Ankara correspondent says the authors of the report hold out little hope that their ideas will be adopted in the immediate future but they believe it is significant that the proposals are being discussed in parliament.