The government rejected Chechen rebel offers for peace talks, declaring that it was a ploy and that such peace talks could only take place once all rebels had surrendered. The Russians feel that no one rebel group is in control of all the others and is thus unable to negotiate for peace in the province. In Grozny, police and troops began to sweep the city for some 500 rebels suspected of still being there. There have been frequent sniping attacks on checkpoints in and around Grozny and it is felt that rebels are hiding out inside the ruined city.