Bhagirath Yogi BBC reporter in Kathmandu

A key Maoist leader in Nepal has made a fresh offer of peace talks with the government.

Chairman of the underground Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Comrade Prachanda, renewed his offer less than a week after Maoist rebels killed over 100 security personnel in two attacks.

The rebels have made similar statements several times in the past few weeks but Prachanda has said his party was ready to declare a cease-fire and enter into dialogue at any point.

The Nepalese Government has made no formal response but is expected to reject the Maoists' call, however it has previously said no talks can be held unless the rebels lay down their arms.

Prachanda said he wanted the government to accept the offer as a positive and peaceful political solution.

Heavy attacks

Prachanda's fresh offer has come less than three days after the rebels mounted heavy attacks in the Sindhuli and Arghakhanchi districts killing many soldiers and injuring dozens of them.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba: Under pressure

Large numbers of rebels were also killed in the clashes.

The Nepalese Government is yet to respond to the latest offer by the Maoists but officials have repeated their stance that talks could not be held unless the rebels lay down their arms.

The government also want the rebels to apologise for walking out of the failed peace talks in November last year, which ended three rounds of peace talks spread over four months.

Internal disputes

Amid intense internal fighting in the ruling Nepali Congress, Premier Sher Bahadur Deuba recommended the dissolution of parliament and called for snap polls which were due to take place in November this year.

Analysts say the continuing Maoist violence has posed a serious threat to free and fair polls in the country.

The government has proposed holding elections at least in five phases whilst being aware of the security situation in the country.

Over 4,000 people have lost their lives during the six years of Maoist insurgency.