US President George W. Bush has rallied behind Nepal's beleaguered government, saying he wanted to work in tandem with the Nepalese authorities for a safer and better world. 

In a message to Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, the newly re-elected American president said he valued the importance of the relationship between the two countries and looked forward to working with Deuba in his second term to make the world "safer and better for our citizens and their children".

Bush was replying to a congratulatory message sent by Deuba on his re-election.

Bush's message was conveyed to the Nepalese prime minister by US Ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty Tuesday. 

Deuba had met Bush in the White House two years ago in May during his official visit when the American government renewed its commitment to help Nepal fight the Maoist insurgency as well as stepped up military aid. 

The Maoists, waging an eight-year war to overthrow Nepal's constitutional monarchy and establish a communist republic, regard the US as one of their worst enemies interfering in the internal matters of Nepal. 

This year, they set off bombs at the US information office in Kathmandu, causing the embassy to withdraw the American volunteers working with Peace Corps.

The Maoists also announced a "ban" on organisations with American investment in Nepal but have not been able to enforce it.

--Indo-Asian News Service