The US has said that negotiations are ongoing for the release of some 200 Nigerian girls held hostage by Boko Haram militants, who have reached a "ceasefire" deal with that country in this regard.   

"We can confirm reports that a ceasefire has been announced, appears to have been put into place," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf, told reporters.   

"We would welcome that ceasefire, call on all parties both to implement and maintain such a ceasefire, and hope that such a ceasefire would herald the return of peace to the northeast. This is a region that has had far too little of that," she said.   

"It's our understanding that negotiations about a deal to release the girls continue," Harf said when asked about the negotiations between Boko Haram and Nigeria on their release.   

The Nigerian government had earlier said that more than 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram in April are to be released, after it signed a ceasefire agreement with the militant group.