Rival gang leaders stage a news conference in a Salvadoran prison.<br/> <br />They are promising to expand a truce to help the country cope with a tide of violent crime threatening to sweep the nation.<br/> <br />The détente will prevent gangs from clashing at schools.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) GANG MEMBER VICTOR CERON, SAYING:<br/> <br />"With this proposition we confirm our commitment to contributing to a pacification of El Salvador, we have considered a second gesture of good will which declares all school areas of the country, public and private, as areas of peace. These (areas) are not considered zones of territorial disputes."<br/> <br />The announcement adds to an earlier truce, brokered with help from the Catholic Church in March, which has been instrumental in reducing violent crime in the tiny Central American country.<br/> <br />This gang member said his people are under orders not to attack or kill rivals and asked that others follow his example.<br/> <br />Much of El Salvador's rising crime and high murder rate is related to gang violence.<br/> <br />This prompted gangs to enter a period of "reflection" last year and laid the foundations of the March treaty that represents the interests of around 100,000 members.<br/> <br />Jessica Gray, Reuters
