Thursday, April 27 2006 10:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: In a significant move, Maoist rebels in Nepal today (Apr 27, 2006) announced a three-month unilateral ceasefire but stuck to their demand for a Constituent Assembly, a day before the formation of a new Government under veteran leader G P Koirala.

"Our party once again announces a unilateral ceasefire for three months with immediate effect," Maoist Chairman Prachanda said in a statement.

"During the ceasefire, the People's Liberation Army will not launch any military action," he said while maintaining that King Gyanendra's proclamation on Monday had not addressed Maoists' issues.

Prachanda also reiterated the rebels' demand for a Constituent Assembly to rewrite the Constitution.

The rebels have called for a Constituent Assembly that would draft a new Constitution, which is likely to limit the powers of the King, who sacked the government and took control of the Nepalese Kingdom almost 15 months ago.

The statement said the Maoists were committed to the 12-point agreement they had reached with the Seven-Party Alliance last November.

The Maoists yesterday withdrew their blockade of Kathmandu and district headquarters and set a two-day deadline to start the process to form a Constituent Assembly during the first meeting of the restored Parliament on Friday.

The rebels had announced a similar ceasefire in September last year for four months.

Prachanda made the announcement shortly after Prime Minister-designate G P Koirala appealed to the rebels to withdraw their protests, including economic blockade and assured them that the constituent assembly would be the main agenda of Parliament when it meets.

The Maoists had on Tuesday rejected King Gyanendra's proclamation restoring the 2002 Parliament and had attacked the alliance for accepting the monarch's offer, saying it was a betrayal of the aspirations of the Nepalese people.