Nepal's Maoist opposition is threatening to launch an indefinite strike unless a national unity government is formed within one month.

Maoist activists have already been striking for the past three days. The Maoist opposition won elections last year but in May was forced to quit the government after a row over the appointment over the army chief. Since then, the Maoists have been holding regular protests in a bid to regain power. Nepal's government has ruled out holding fresh elections but Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has indicated he is willing to include a number of Maoist ministers in his cabinet.

Maoist demonstration in September 2009 (Photo: Flickr / izahorsky)