KATHMANDU, Oct 8: Nepal’s Maoist rebels and the interim government said their first meeting in nearly four months on Sunday was “highly positive”, after serious differences had stalled the tentative peace process.

Leaders of the ruling seven-party alliance led by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and a Maoist delegation led by their chief Prachanda met for more than eight hours at Koirala’s high-security residence.

The sides agreed to resume talks on Tuesday. “Today’s meeting was highly positive,” said a joint statement. “The subject of constituent assembly elections, arms management and help and relief to the affected people were also discussed in a cordial manner.”

Nepal has faced an anti-monarchy Maoist revolt since 1996. The violence has killed more than 13,000 people.

The statement said the draft of an interim constitution for Nepal prepared by a panel was also presented to the meeting.

The peace process, which began after King Gyanendra gave up power in April, bowing to mass protests, has remained more or less stalled after serious differences arose between the rebels and the interim government.

Two key issues have been at stake— the management of arms held by the rebels and the future role of the monarchy.

The government wants the Maoists to disarm before elections are held sometime next year for a special assembly which would write a new constitution. The rebels say they are only willing to keep their arms and armies in their camps under UN supervision and only if the Nepal Army does the same.

KING’S ROLE: The rebels see no role for the king in the new government, but some political parties say the monarch should have a ceremonial role, pending a final decision by the assembly.