The Christian community of Nepal has welcomed a declaration made Saturday by the Communist Party of Nepal, Pushpa Lal, to hold a unilateral ceasefire, in which it said it would “not launch any offensive” during the truce.

The Maoist rebels have fought an armed insurgency for nine years, during which time an estimated 12,000 people have died, in the hope of replacing the monarchy with a people’s republic.

Dr K.B. Rokaya, coordinator of Christian Efforts for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation (CEPJAR), said it was definitely a welcome step and all sections of society in Nepal and indeed the international community must make the most of this opportunity to transform it into a prolonged ceasefire and lasting peace, reported Nepal News.

Dr Rokoya said: “We urge the government to reciprocate this positive gesture shown by the Maoists by declaring ceasefire from its side.”

The statement by Dr Rokaya said that the Christian community in Nepal has always stood for peace and is prepared to play any role in resolving the ongoing conflict through dialogue and negotiated settlement.

Members of the Christian community in Nepal stated that peace talks were the only way to resolve the present crisis facing the country, reported Nepal News, and have appealed to the Nepalese government and Maoists to create an environment of trust towards each other and come to the dialogue table to bring the country out of the current crisis.

UN deputy representative in Nepal, Ghulam Isaczai, said he hoped the ceasefire would pave the way for a solution to the conflict. He added that the UN would welcome any move that would contribute to achieving peace and security in Nepal, the BBC said.

Mr Isaczai said that any cease-fire should be long-term in order to create the environment for the government and rebels to start a dialogue and resolve the conflict.

Rebels have attempted to align with political parties also opposed to the rule of King Gyanendra, who assumed direct power in February on the basis that politicians had failed to tackle the nine-year insurgency.

A peaceful movement has been led against the royal take over by an alliance of seven opposition parties, which said that the Maoists, now led by Babarum Bhattarai, must renounce violence in order to be allowed within the political framework.