Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has called a conference Friday morning of all political parties in and outside parliament and others to forge a common platform before launching negotiations with underground Maoists to end the communist insurgency, sources close to the government chief said Thursday night.

The meeting will begin at the conference hall of the National Planning Commission in the Singha Durbar Friday morning. The duration of the meet was not disclosed.

Deuba called the meeting after getting a go-ahead from his ruling Nepali Congress party to negotiate a settlement with the rebels calling for a republic which the prime minister said is a non-negotiable issue together with multi-party democracy.

Deuba met leaders of other political parties and prominent figures before calling an all party conference. Both sides in the conflict have announced a cease-fire and released police hostages or rebel prisoners to create an atmosphere for talks to end the conflict.

Deuba assumed office last month and said resolving the issue was his top priority.