Kathmandu: Major political parties in Nepal on March 10 boycotted an all-party meet called by Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand to discuss the code of conduct for peace talks with the Maoist rebels, even as the government claimed that the meeting was "successful".

Representatives of only two parties, the ruling Rashtriya Prajatantra Party and a faction of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP), participated in the meeting while the Nepali Congress, the Nepal Communist Party (UML), the Nepal Peasants' and Workers' Party and the People's Front Nepal boycotted it, party sources said.

The parties have refused to recognise the Chand government, saying it was formed "unconstitutionally and undemocratically by the King" and it did not have a mandate to negotiate with the rebels.

"We will not take part in the meeting called by an unconstitutional government," CPN- UML leader Jhalnath Khanal said.

However, Minister for Information and Communication Ramesh Nath Pandey claimed the meeting was "successful" and that the government will take into consideration the recommendations made by the participants.

He termed as "unfortunate" the boycott by major parties and said the government will continue its efforts to get involved all concerned parties.

During the meeting, RPP president Pashupati Shumsher Rana handed over a memorandum to the Premier urging him to include all the major parties in the peace process for a "national consensus" and to create an atmosphere of trust, understanding and goodwill for lasting peace.

PTI