The peace deal aims to end two years of violence in the semi-autonomous tribal zone of North Waziristan where hundreds of people have died in clashes between security forces and Islamic rebels.

The pro-Taliban militants had already been observing a unilateral ceasefire there since June.

"The agreement has been signed, it's a big achievement, it is very good for peace in the region," government spokesman Qazi Ejaz Ahmed told AFP from the northwestern city of Peshawar.

The peace accord signing ceremony was witnessed by some 500 tribesmen in North Waziristan's main town, Miranshah, after weeks of dialogue, he added.

Local administrator Fakhar-e-Alam and representatives of militants, some tribal elders and religious leaders signed the accord, the spokesman said.

He said details would be released later.

A tribal MP, Maulvi Nek Zaman, who helped broker the deal, said pro-Taliban militants "will not attack security forces, government officials, tribal elders and journalists and would not run a parallel government in the region."

The militants also agreed that they would not take part in any cross-border attacks inside Afghanistan.

"The agreement entails expulsions of all foreign militants from North Waziristan," the MP said.

If they want to stay they must "lay down their arms and pledge to live peacefully," he added.