Maoist Rebels Declare Truce

Nepalese communist rebels have announced a 3-month truce after the parliament was restored due to national protests.

Maoist rebels will refrain themselves from attacks in order to give a chance to the new government which will take control on Friday after King Gyanendra was forced to reinstate parliament. Protests began to arise when the king seized power in February 2005, after accusing the government that it did not control the Maoists.

Before this announcement, the Prachanda met with Koirala, the 84-year veteran politician and the interim prime minister. The rebel leader Prachanda said his group will hold back from "offensive military action" for 3 months, but rebels will remain in an "active defensive position".

The insurgent hopes this decision will would encourage the formation of a new constituent assembly to form the constitution. The Maoists, whose 10-year insurgency killed over 13,000 people, lifted their blockade on Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, when asked by Girija Prasad Koirala, the candidate for prime minister nominated by the opposition parties.

The blockade paralyzed Kathmandu, causing shortages of food and goods. Slowly, the city is starting to return to normal. Shops have reopened, phone connections are restored but there are still a high number of police forces.

The opposition hopes to implement a high commission to prosecute cases of excessive force and to provide financial assistance to the families of those killed during pro-democracy clashes.