Katmandu, Nepal ? Nepal’s new administration on Monday began freeing the last of the country’s jailed communist rebels, helping peace talks move forward, government and rebel officials said.

The government ordered the release of anyone arrested or imprisoned under a tough anti-terrorism law imposed during the rule of the recently ousted king, Information Minister Dilendra Badu told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.

Rebel spokesman Krishna Mahara said that the government had pledged to free 350 insurgents and supporters starting Monday.

The new government reached a cease-fire with the rebel leaders, began peace talks last month and freed hundreds of Maoists and supporters who had been held on lesser charges.

But hundreds remained in jail on charges including murder, kidnappings and crimes against the state.

The conflict between rebels and government forces killed more than 13,000 people after the insurgents began fighting in 1996 to establish a communist state.

King Gyanendra’s inability to end the bloodshed helped fuel weeks of street protests that forced him to give up his powers, reinstate parliament and appoint a new prime minister in April.