KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 12 (UPI) -- The enigmatic leader of Nepal's Maoist rebel forces will lead the dialogue team when peace talks begin with the reinstated government of Nepal.
King Gyanendra gave into mass demonstrations across the capital of Kathamandu last month and returned power to political parties following the deaths of 17 people in government crackdowns.
Matrika Yadav, a Maoist officer released from prison Thursday, told Radio Nepal that Maoist chairman Prachanda will head the rebel delegation at an imminent meeting to draw a line over a wave of violence that has shaken the Himalayan kingdom since Gyanendra sacked parliament in February 2005.
A dialogue team will be formed and once the circumstances are secure and settled, Prachanda will come for talks, Yadav said. Preconditions to his attendance include the release of all prisoners held, and the public disclosure of the whereabouts of all persons seized by the state.
Another Maoist leader, Suresh Ale Magar, said his party was ready for the talks, convinced that the problems in the country can be resolved through peaceful means.
"Let us hope that the talks in the coming days will be successful and reach a logical conclusion," he said. "The coming days, when we join the government, will be both a challenge and an opportunity... for us to show the way ahead for the country. It will prove to be our test."
Representatives from the ruling Seven-Party Alliance met Friday and called for peace talks between the government and the Maoist insurgents to begin immediately.
Five ministers from the former royalist regime were also detained Friday.
