Nepal's Maoist rebels rejected peace talks with the new government and began an indefinite blockade across the landlocked Himalayan kingdom on Saturday to oppose King Gyanendra's assumption of power. The Maoist rebels, trying to topple the monarchy, appealed to political parties and citizens to launch a resistance movement against Gyanendra after he sacked the government, detained top political leaders and suspended civil liberties.
Rebel chief Prachanda rejected any possibility of talks with the government headed by the king, a day after the interior ministry said it was willing to discuss all demands including a constituent assembly to decide the future of the monarchy.
"Gyanendra has pushed the country into darkness ... there is no justification for immediate talks," the elusive leader said in a statement sent to Nepali media.
He urged the international community to stop aid to Nepal because of the autocratic rule of the king. Nepal, among the world's 10 poorest nations, is heavily dependent on aid.
Saturday was the first day of what the rebels said was an indefinite blockade and transport strike to coincide with the ninth anniversary of their revolt, in which more than 11,000 people have been killed.
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