KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 4 (UPI) -- Nepal's Maoist rebels have agreed to join talks to end the decade-old insurgency that has killed thousands of citizens.
"We welcome (the cease-fire announcement) as a positive move forward towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people for democracy," said Prachanda, leader of the Nepali Maoists, in a statement issued after the Girija Prasad Koirala government invited the armed rebels for dialogue.
The Koirala government, The Hindu newspaper reported Friday, has announced an indefinite cease-fire, declared that the Maoists rebels were no longer seen as terrorists and invited them to the negotiating table.
The decision to re-evaluate the Maoists' status came was taken at a meeting of the new cabinet which also repealed a 'red corner notice' preventing the rebel leaders from appearing in public.
The Maoists had last week declared a three-month cease-fire.
Nepal's House of Representatives has already passed a resolution regarding elections to the constituent assembly, which was a key condition of the rebels rejoining Nepal's political mainstream.
Nepal's Maoist rebels were declared to be terrorists on Aug. 28, 2003, following the breach of a cease-fire on Aug. 27 which saw the rebels attack army officials in Kathmandu. Interpol then issued the red corner notice against 26 of the top rebel leaders, including Prachanda, at Nepal's request.
Koirala's government has also annulled the controversial municipal polls held under King Gyanendra's rule on Feb. 25, 2006, and dismissed all regional and zonal administrators and district development committee chairpersons appointed by the king.
