Nepal's prime minister says it could take as long as 10 years to defeat a Maoist rebellion unless the country gets international military aid. 

In an interview with the Reuters news agency Sunday, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said the government is winning the war against Maoist rebels that has killed more than 35-hundred people since 1996. 

He said Nepal could put down the rebellion in two years if it can cut rebel supply lines, attack training centers and destroy the rebel chain of command. 

But he said the Nepalese army needs help from the United States and other nations, including weapons, helicopters and military training. 

If the aid does not come, Mr. Deuba said the fighting could drag on for another 10 years. Mr. Deuba said India and Israel have already sent aid. While Prime Minister Minister Deuba spoke to Reuters, a bomb planted along the roadside near his office exploded, wounding three people. 

Maoist rebels want to bring down Nepal's constitutional monarchy and replace it with Chinese-style communism. 

The rebels called off a cease-fire last November and broke off peace talks with the government. 

Prime Minister Deuba says he refuses to return to the peace table unless the rebels disarm. 

Some information for this report provided by Reuters.

Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version