Kathmandu: Rejecting the rebels' offer for a peace dialogue, the Nepal government has ruled out talks with Maoists, saying they must first lay down their arms and "apologise for their mistakes".

"The government will not hold talks with the Maoists until they surrender their arms and publicly apologise for their past mistakes," Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka said.

Reacting to rebel leader Prachanda's offer for resumption of talks with the government, he said, "The government is ready to hold talks with the Maoists any time, but they can't contest the elections carrying their arms."

The Maoist leader had issued a statement indicating that the outlawed Maoist party may contest the mid-term polls if an "interim government" is formed and modalities are worked out for the elections as per their demand.

"If they lay down their arms and come forward for talks and elections, the government will have no objection," the Minister said addressing a gathering of party cadres in Chandranigahpur of Rautahat district.

The Maoists had broken a four-month truce last November and launched series of attacks against police posts, military barracks and government offices after the third rounds of peace talks failed, which led to imposition of Emergency rule in the country.

The minister said the government was making all efforts to conduct the November polls in a "fair and peaceful manner," adding, "Those who claim that mid-term polls cannot be held are simply fearing the polls."

Meanwhile, at least seven Maoists, including three commanders and two women rebels, were killed in separate encounters with the security forces in Nepal, the Defence Ministry said.

PTI