Chechen rebel ceasefire expires

Aslan Maskhadov: "It's up to the strong side to propose peace"

Security has been stepped up across Russia after a unilateral month-long ceasefire by Chechen rebels expired.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is set to hold talks with US President George W Bush, again rejected the idea of talks with the separatist rebels.

Rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov earlier issued a statement on a pro-rebel website calling for talks.

He denied Russian claims that the rebels - pushing for independence - had links to "international terrorists".

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The Chechen conflict

The Chechen ceasefire ended on Wednesday, the 61st anniversary of the mass deportation of Chechens to Central Asia by Stalin.

The Moscow-backed authorities in Grozny, the North Caucasus republic's capital, say clashes with rebels have continued inside the republic.

Violence continues

Security forces in neighbouring republics have mounted a series of special operations against suspected militants they claim have links to the fighters in Chechnya.

In his statement, Mr Maskhadov - the former Chechen president - said "we have offered peace to the Russians... but we are ready to fight".

On Monday night, nine Russian soldiers were reported killed in an ambush near Grozny but, unusually, no rebel group claimed responsibility.

Chechen officials say they cannot rule out the possibility rebel forces are regrouping and preparing further major attacks.

President Putin has ordered his interior minister to continue targeting suspected militants across the North Caucasus.