Cease-fire declared in Nepal

KATMANDU, Nepal – Nepal’s communist rebels, who backed the opposition protests that forced King Gyanendra to restore parliament, declared a three-month, unilateral cease-fire today in their violent campaign against the monarchist government.

The announcement came a day before the reinstated parliament convenes in Katmandu. It is expected to elect a new prime minister and initiate the process for electing an assembly that would write a new constitution.

The rebel decision follows a meeting between rebel leader Prachanda and Girija Prasad Koirala, who is likely to be named prime minister.

Their talk cleared up misunderstanding between the alliance of seven opposition parties and the rebels. The rebels initially had been angered by the alliance’s acceptance of Gyanendra’s offer to hand over power and reinstate parliament.

In Washington, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said the United States would consider renewing military aid to Nepal, but the move would depend on the army supporting the return of democracy.