Nepal Maoists call off two-day strike over envoys

KATHMANDU, Dec 23 (Reuters) Nepal's Maoists have called off a nationwide general strike planned next month to protest against the appointment of ambassadors by the government, a senior guerrilla leader said today.

Chief Maoist negotiator Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the multi-party government had agreed to put on hold the appointments of envoys until the former rebels joined an interim government.

''We have, therefore, called off the strike planned for December 31 and January 1,'' Mahara told Reuters.

On Tuesday, the Maoists and their supporters showed their displeasure over the appointments and shut down Kathmandu.

Officials were not immediately available for comment today, but Home (interior) Minister Krishna Prasad Situala said in a statement yesterday that all decisions on ''significant national matters'' would be taken in consultation with the Maoists.

The Maoists and government last month signed a landmark peace deal declaring an end to the decade-old anti-monarchy revolt that killed more than 13,000 people.

Under the deal, the Maoists are to join an interim cabinet after caching their weapons under United Nations supervision ahead of next year's elections for a special assembly.

The legislative body will then map out the country's political future and decide the fate of the monarchy.

REUTERS PB BD1224