Nepal ? Communist rebels are putting down their guns for three months to allow Nepal’s new government to find its footing.

The elusive leader of the Himalayan country’s Maoist rebels, Prachanda, said in a statement that his group’s fighters would refrain from any assaults to give the country a chance for peace.

“We declare a unilateral cease-fire for three months through this statement to express deep commitment to people’s desire for peace,” Prachanda said.

The rebels had blocked key roads for weeks to support a campaign of anti-monarchy protests by the opposition coalition of seven main political parties. The demonstrations often ended in bloody clashes with security forces that have left at least 15 people dead since April 6.

The parties called off their campaign Tuesday after King Gyanendra agreed to hand power back to elected officials and reinstate Parliament by Friday.