Maoists extends ceasefire, Hold talks with UN Peace Team

Kathmandu, July 28 (UNI) Nepal Maoist rebels today extended their ceasefire by another three months.

''The Maoists are faithful and responsible towards people but the activities of the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) led government are not persisting with the 8-point agreement reached between the SPA and the Maoists after the first summit meeting,'' Maoist chief Prachanda said in statement.

The statement urged the SPA government to abide by the 8-point agreement and promote peace process and warned that the failure to do so will compel the CPN-M to resort to peaceful revolution.

The Maoists had unilaterally announced a ceasefire on April 27 and held first round of peace talks on June 16.

Meanwhile, the high-level UN assessment mission led by Staffan de Mistura held discussions with the government talks team and Maoist top leaders here this morning.

''Discussion was mainly focused on the UN's role to facilitate Nepal's peace process,''spokesperson and coordinator of the Maoist talks Krishna Bahadur Mahara said.

Mr Prachanda, his deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Mr Mahara and two other members of the Maoist talks team were present in the meeting.

The UN team also held talks with the government talks team.

The UN team is visiting Nepal following the request of Nepal government for the peace process.

UNI XC SI AT DS1643