KATHMANDU, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M) has been asked to reconsider its nation-wide protest program, the National News Agency RSS reported on Wednesday.

    According to the RSS, talks were held between UCPN-M leaders and diplomats of 12 countries here Tuesday.

    At the meeting held at Hotel Annapurna in the capital Kathmandu Tuesday afternoon, ambassadors and representatives of China, India, the United States, Britain, Russia, Germany and France to Nepal met UCPN- M leaders, and the party informed them about its agitation launched recently, said Chief of International Department of the party, Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

    Present during the talks with the diplomats was party Chairman Prachanda, and the diplomats inquired UCPN-M leaders about the form of agitation of the UCPN-M.

    Meanwhile, a press release issued by British Embassy on behalf of the missions of the countries stated that the ambassadors asked Prachanda urgently to reconsider the program.

    The envoys urged Prachanda to respect the democratic process and to use the Constituent Assembly, parliament and other peace process mechanisms to pursue their program of opposition.

    They underlined the significant damage the proposed closure of airports and obstruction of the Nepal's tourist infrastructure would do to Nepal's reputation, particularly during the peak tourist season and the resulting damage to Nepal's economy.

    The European Union, Russian and the U.S. representatives called on all parties to exercise restraint and to work together in the spirit of the peace agreements.