Kathmandu, June 16 (IANS) The Nepalese crown would cease to exist after an election later this year that would ask the people to chose between a republic and the monarchy, Maoist supremo Prachanda asserted Friday, maintaining that the Leftists would next month join the government as a coalition partner.

Addressing a press conference here after path-breaking peace talks with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda asserted that those who advocated a ceremonial monarch were expressing their personal opinion.

The Maoist supremo was obliquely referring to a comment by Koirala earlier this week that Nepal was passing through a critical stage and needed a ceremonial monarch.

Earlier Friday, nearly 11 years after his last public appearance here, Prachanda arrived in the Nepalese capital for talks with Koirala. It was the first time during the decade-old insurgency that peace talks were held between the Maoist leader and the prime minister.

The 52-year-old rebel chief and his deputy Baburam Bhattarai were flown in from Pokhara city in central Nepal by helicopter and were escorted by Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula to Koirala's official residence in Baluwatar.

After nearly three hours of parleys between the two leaders, top leaders of the ruling seven-party alliance (SPA) joined them.

After nearly 10 hours, the talks ended with an eight-point pact that is seen as a major victory for the rebels, who have been pressing for the dissolution of parliament.

At his press conference later, Prachanda said an interim constitution would be formulated within a month.

Reports said a six-member team headed by former Supreme Court judge Laxman Arryal would draw up the framework of the interim constitution. Prachanda said it would be done in 15-20 days.

After this, parliament and the government would be dissolved to make way for an interim government with the Maoists as partners.

"It would be done within a month," the rebel chief maintained.

Polls for electing a constituent assembly would be held soon thereafter.

Both sides have also pledged themselves to a competitive multi-party system of government, citizens' independence, fundamental rights, press freedom and rule of law. They have also agreed to extend the truce called by them into lasting peace and resolve problems through dialogue.

Prachanda said the size of the army would be drastically reduced. "We don't need 90,000 soldiers," he said. "What have they done besides killing Nepalis and raping women? We can do with a small 20,000-strong force that will uphold law and order."