Kathmandu: Nepal Government today (Sep 30, 2004) formally invited Maoists for talks, asserting that it had full executive rights and control of the Army and other constitutional bodies, but ruled out any unilateral ceasefire.

"The Government once again calls the Maoists for resumption of dialogue with a view to rescuing the country from the present state of violence, destruction and indecision," Government spokesman Mohammad Mohsin said, after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba endorsed the decision of the High-Level Peace Committee to formally call the rebels for talks.

"I am hopeful that the Maoists will positively respond to the Government's call," Mohsin, who is Information and Communication Minister, said.