London shares were higher in early trade on Friday in line with other European markets, boosted by firming commodity prices amid cautious optimism over a fresh Ukraine ceasefire and Greek debt talks in Brussels.
The benchmark FTSE 100 index was 49.80 points, or 0.72 percent, higher at 6,877.69 by 8:58 am.
Greece's new Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras edged closer to securing a revamp of the country's huge bailout after making his case Thursday to sceptical EU leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany also on Thursday agreed a roadmap aimed at ending a 10-month war between Kiev and pro-Moscow rebels.
Tullow Oil led the risers, up 3.53 percent at 398.70 pence, followed by miner Glencore, up 3.54 percent at 286.70.
Telecoms firm BT Group was the biggest faller, down 1.82 percent at 441.80 pence, followed by United Utilities, down 1.34 percent at 960.00 pence. AFP, photo by AFP