Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba says President Bush has promised that the United States will help Nepal fight communist rebels trying to overthrow the small Himalayan kingdom's democratic monarchy. 

After meeting with President Bush at the White House Tuesday, Prime Minister Dueba told reporters he was very happy with the outcome of the talks. He said President Bush has assured him of U.S. support for Nepal "in many ways." 

Prime Minister Deuba said discussions also focused on international terrorism and economic development in Nepal. 

The Bush administration recently asked Congress for $20 million in military aid for Nepal. White House officials say the aid would include non-combat supplies, such as medicine and military uniforms. 

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the United States is committed to helping Nepal protect its democracy from the Maoist insurgency. 

Earlier Tuesday, Nepalese soldiers stepped-up airstrikes and ground attacks against guerrilla training camps in the western regions of Lisne and Rolpa. They said three of four camps - training about 1,500 rebels - have been destroyed. 

Nepal's government says about 500 communist rebels have been killed since the military offensive began last Thursday. The government claim could not be independently confirmed. 

Last week, the rebels, after breaking off talks in November, said they were ready to resume peace negotiations. But Prime Minister Deuba rejected the offer, saying he will not talk to the Maoists until they surrender their weapons. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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