"I would like to request King Gyanendra, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda to immediately declare a cease-fire at least for a week," Dr Lam said addressing a programme organized by the Reporters' Club in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Requesting both the government and the Maoists to declare an immediate armistice and hold peace-parleys, the IBF president said, "I request the warring parties to come and hold talks soon. You will see miracles." He also revealed that he was planning to organize a meeting between the government representatives and the Maoists sometime in February/March 2005 to bring peace in the country.

The Maoist rebels, issuing a press statement yesterday, had announced a two-day general strike from December 30 to November 1 in Rupandehi district- the home to Lumbini. However, the government has said that the Maoist strike will have no effect on the Summit as enough arrangements for security have been made for the Summit to take place peacefully.