Nepali women dance among tens of thousands taking part in a political rally in Nepal's capital Kathmandu yesterday. Nepal's Maoist rebels declared a three-month ceasefire from yesterday and political parties forming a new government promised to work with them, raising hopes of an end to the decade-old conflict. - REUTERS
KATHMANDU (Reuters):
NEPAL'S MAOIST rebels declared a three-month ceasefire from yesterday and political parties forming a new government promised to work with them, raising hopes of an end to the decade-old conflict.
"Our People's Liberation Army will not carry out any offensive military action during this period and will remain defensive," rebel chief Prachanda said in a statement.
At the start of this week, the impoverished kingdom was in the grip of huge anti-monarchy protests by hundreds of thousands of people, and there was no end in sight to years of Maoist insurgency in which more than 13,000 have been killed.
"The fires, stones and trouble were part of the movement," said Mira Joshi, a housewife who was among tens of thousands at a noisy but peaceful mass rally in the centre of Kathmandu.
"But without that it wouldn't be quiet now ... It is quiet and this has raised hope and confidence for permanent peace."
