WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (AFP) - The US State Department on Wednesday decried acts of "terrorism" by Maoist rebels against civilians in Nepal, after the leftist insurgents cut off roads to Kathmandu and bombed a luxury hotel in the Himalayan country's capital.
"The United States firmly rejects the Maoist intimidation, terrorism, and threats of violence against civilians," State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said in a statement.
The guerrillas cut off access to Kathmandu on Wednesday, the first time it took such a step since launching an insurgency to overthrow Nepal's constitutional monarchy eight years ago.
On Monday, they bombed Kathmandu's Soaltee Crowne Plaza, which is owned by King Gyanendra. The attack caused no injuries.
"The United States strongly condemns the recent Maoist bombing at the Soaltee Hotel in Kathmandu, and other attempts by the Maoists to intimidate Nepali businesses into closing their operations," Ereli said.
"These reprehensible acts only harm innocent Nepalis and weaken Nepal's fragile economy," he added.
The hotel, a favorite destination of well-heeled travelers to the land of Mount Everest, had deployed dozens of armed guards at its entrance after the Maoists issued an ultimatum in early August to the hotel and 23 other businesses to close by Tuesday.