An anti-government ethnic armed group -- the Kayin National Liberation Army (KNLA) has signed initial peace agreements with Myanmar government at central level Tuesday, official sources said.

The seven-point peace pact at state level was signed at Nay Pyi Taw by U Saw Htay Maung, representing the KNLA, and U Aung Thaung, representing government side.

The agreement mainly covered cease-fire, opening of liaison offices, allowing negotiated transgression and arms carrying apart from mutually-agreed areas.

The further discussions at central level will be followed.

KNLA is a branch of the Kayin National Union (KNU), which had once made a cease-fire with the Myanmar military government.

Up to now, nine ethnic armed groups out of 11 have reached peace pacts with the government at respective levels.

KNU represents the biggest anti-government ethnic armed group in Myanmar's Kayin state having fought the government for over six decades.

Under President U Thein Sein's August 2011 peace offer, peace making is being carried out in three phases -- the first phase is to cease-fire, set up liaison offices and travel without holding arms to each other's territory, while the second phase is confidence building, holding political dialogue, implement regional development tasks in terms of education, health and communication, and the third phase is to sign agreement for eternal peace in the presence of the parliament represented by nationalities, political parties and different walks of life.

The government claimed that since 1994, 17 major anti- government ethnic armed groups and 23 other small groups have made peace with the government.

Of those 17 groups that have made peace with the government, 15 groups laid down their arms completely, while five were transformed into government's border guard forces and 15 into militia.