Nepal Maoists extend truce

Maoist rebels in Nepal have extended their ceasefire which was due to expire today for an indefinite period to facilitate the ongoing peace talks with the government.

The three-month ceasefire, announced by the Maoists on April 27, will be extended to facilitate the peace talks with the seven-party alliance government, said rebel spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

The Maoists had announced the three-month ceasefire soon after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala assumed power following the Joint People's Movement

that restored democracy ending the direct rule of King Gyanendra. The government had reciprocated by declaring an indefinite ceasefire to move ahead with the peace process.

The multi-party government had signed an eight-point agreement with Maoists during the high-level talks between Koirala and rebel chief Prachanda on June 16 in which both sides agreed to keep their armies under UN supervision, form an interim government inclusive of the rebels and hold constituent assembly polls within a year.

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