KATHMANDU, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Nepal's constituent assembly elections will almost certainly be delayed until next year as the ruling coalition is struggling to break a political deadlock with Maoist former rebels, a leading government minister said.

Leaders from Nepal's interim government began talks with the former coalition members on Friday to resolve the impasse over scheduled Nov. 22 elections to decide the fate of the monarchy.

"We are compelled to this because the Maoists say they will not let the elections go ahead until their demands are met," Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel told Reuters.

"We can't begin the war again. The election is almost certain to be delayed until March-April next year."

The government opposes demands by the Maoists, who walked out of the government last month, to abolish the monarchy ahead of the elections and introduce full proportional representation.

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