Truce effectively over

"The significance of the ceasefire has now ended," said a Maoist statement quoted to AFP by Padma Ratna Tuladhar, a rebel-appointed go-between in the peace process.

The Maoists had given the government a deadline which expired yesterday to agree to elections for a "constituent assembly" that would redraft Nepal's constitution.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

But the government refused, saying the rebels must first give up their weapons.

The assembly dispute helped scuttle a long-delayed third round of peace talks last week. The two sides agreed a ceasefire on January 29.