Nepal's Maoist rebels have asked the United Nations to help resolve the separatist conflict in the country.
Monday's comment by the elusive Maoist leader Prachanda came during a visit to the Himalayan kingdom by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi.
Mr. Prachanda said the Maoists are ready for talks with the United Nations.
The rebel leader also appealed for talks with Nepal's mainstream political parties to put pressure on King Gyanendra, who seized absolute power on February first.
Mr. Brahimi, who arrived in Kathmandu Sunday, is scheduled to meet the king, senior government officials and leaders of political parties before returning to New York on July 15th.
The rebels are fighting to replace Nepal's monarchy with a communist state.
Monday's comment by the elusive Maoist leader Prachanda came during a visit to the Himalayan kingdom by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi.
Mr. Prachanda said the Maoists are ready for talks with the United Nations.
The rebel leader also appealed for talks with Nepal's mainstream political parties to put pressure on King Gyanendra, who seized absolute power on February first.
Mr. Brahimi, who arrived in Kathmandu Sunday, is scheduled to meet the king, senior government officials and leaders of political parties before returning to New York on July 15th.
The rebels are fighting to replace Nepal's monarchy with a communist state.