Rebel leader Prachanda, who goes by one name, said in the announcement that his fighters would not attack any military or civilian targets during the cease-fire but would defend their positions. He said it would offer a chance at peace in Nepal, where rebels claiming to be inspired by Chinese communist revolutionary Mao Zedong have been fighting for nine years in an attempt to topple the Himalayan monarchy.

Rebel violence has escalated since Gyanendra seized control of the government in February, a measure he said was necessary to quell the insurgency, which has left more than 11,500 dead.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 10, 2005
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