Maoist revolt in Nepal is escalating out of control

"We sincerely hope ... some initiatives will be taken by the political parties in Nepal to resolve the Maoist problem," said King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the Press Trust of India quoted him as saying.

The king, who left Saturday for home after a six-day official visit to India, said the situation in Nepal was "deteriorating day-by-day," adding, "Today the Maoists have total control more or less of the whole country."

Political analysts in Nepal estimate the Maoists control over two-thirds of the impoverished landlocked nation wedged between India and China.

The Bhutanese ruler was speaking to Indian journalists in New Delhi at the close of his visit.

The Maoist rebels have been battling since 1996 to overthrow the constitutional monarchy in Nepal.