Kathmandu: In an effort to end the seven-year-old insurgency in Nepal, Maoist rebels have agreed to hold talks with the government following acceptance of their three-point agenda, which includes a round-table conference with all political forces, formation of an interim government and election of a constituent Assembly.

The Maoists, however, warned that they would launch fresh strikes if their demands were not met.

In a joint statement on November 13 by top Maoist leaders Pushpa Kamal Dahal or Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai, the rebels have put forth several demands - organising an all-party round-table conference, formation of an interim government and drafting a new Constitution through elections for a constituent Assembly, media reports said on November 14.

The statement, which was faxed to media organisations at the end of their 72-hour general strike, did not specify what changes they have sought in the present Constitution.

The Maoists' latest offer for talks came in response to the Lokendra Bahadur Chand government's call for resolving the insurgent movement, which claimed about 7,000 lives so far, through peaceful dialogue.

Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal has said the government will be flexible in bringing the Maoists on the table for dialogue, 'The Kathmandu Post' said.

PTI