In a stern message to Nepal's warring monarchy and Left-wing rebels, US President George W Bush [Images] Thursday asked the Maoists to shun violence and the king to restore democracy.

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"On Nepal we agreed that the Maoists should abandon violence and that the king should reach out to the political parties to restore democratic institutions," he said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images].

"There should be discussions more that just friendly handshakes," he said.

Both the countries also condemned human rights violations in Myanmar and called for the release of Ang Sang Su Kyi.

"We agree on the deplorable state of human rights in Burma and also seek the release of Aung Sang Su Kyi," he said.