ISLAMABAD, Aug. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Pakistan and India have decided to continue cease-fire across the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region, Foreign Office spokesman Naeem Khan said here Monday.

    "The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the ongoing cease-fire," Naeem quoted a joint statement issued simultaneously in Islamabad and New Delhi at the end of the talks on conventional confidence building measures in the Indian capitalon Monday.

    Pakistan announced unilateral cease-fire across the LoC in November 2003 and India responded positively to the announcement.

    Both sides agreed not to develop any new posts and defense works along the LoC, he said at a weekly press conference.

    Naeem said that the talks between the two delegations were heldin a constructive and cordial atmosphere and both sides exchanged views on their respective security concepts.

    Pakistani and Indian forces had been routinely trading fire across the LoC, causing civilian casualties.

    In 2002, the two countries were involved in a military standoffon their border and came dangerously close to a war following an attack on Indian Parliament that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-backed militants.

    Their relations started thawing in April 2003 after then IndianPrime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee extended a "hand of friendship" to Pakistan. Enditem