KATHMANDU: Maoist insurgents said on Friday they had extended a unilateral ceasefire by one month after joining political efforts to restore democracy in Nepal following a power grab by King Gyanendra.
"Despite the provocative attitude of the government forces, our party has decided to extend the ceasefire by one month, taking into account the demands of the national and international communities for democracy," said rebel leader Prachanda.
A three-month unilateral ceasefire called by the Maoists, who have been fighting for a communist republic since 1996, was due to end on Friday. Security forces were bracing for a major democracy protest planned by leftists in Kathmandu later Friday.
"We believe this decision will pave the way to strengthen the movement of democracy and peace against the autocratic rule and give new direction to find a political way out," Prachanda said.
Human rights activists welcomed the Maoists' decision. "By extending the ceasefire, the rebels have shown that they are committed to the 12-point agreement they reached with the political parties of Nepal," said Subodh Pyakurel, a human rights activist.
Under the agreement, the Maoists would lay down their arms under United Nations or other international supervision while a new constitution was drafted.
