LAGOS (Reuters) - Rebels who have stepped up attacks on Nigeria's oil industry in the last month said on Sunday they were considering a ceasefire appeal by U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has launched five attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta since it resumed a campaign of violence in April, forcing Royal Dutch Shell to shut more than 164,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

"The MEND command is seriously considering a temporary ceasefire appeal by Senator Barack Obama. Obama is someone we respect and hold in high esteem," the militant group said in an e-mailed statement.

MEND did not say when or where Obama, the leading candidate for the Democratic ticket for November's U.S. presidential election, made the appeal. It said it hoped the government would use any ceasefire to improve conditions for its detained leader, Henry Okah.

Nah they are blinders

"Hey Kettle? Yeah this is Pot. Guess what? You're black."

Good come back

anyone else hear Hillary is suppose to take indiana today?

Fred Thompson was the 2008 Republican version of Wes Clark in the 2004 Democratic contests.

All hype. No substance.

What I meant by substance was a legit campaign infrastructure.

When, I think, it shows Obama's ability to bridge gaps and bring potential peace to regions thriving in conflict and strife.