Mali's main Tuareg-led rebel alliance initialled a peace deal with the government Thursday but said changes must be made before they will sign the agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict.

"Initialling the document and signing a comprehensive agreement are and will remain legally distinct," alliance official Bilal Ag Cherif said in Algiers.

Ag Cherif said the Coordination of Azawad Movements alliance would stay away from a signing ceremony to be held by the Malian government in the capital Bamako on Friday which is to be attended by a dozen heads of state.