Maoists extend ceasefire for indefinite period

Maoist rebels in Nepal have extended their ceasefire which was due to expire on Thursday 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, rebel spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said.

The decision to extend the truce for an indefinite period has been taken to facilitate the peace talks with the seven-party alliance government, he said.

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 the Maoists' truce by declaring an indefinite ceasefire to move ahead 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.