Kathmandu, Oct 27: Maoist rebels said today that US citizens were safe in Nepal as long as they did not assist Nepal's military and voiced regret for the two-day abduction of a British officer recruiting gurkha fighters. Maoist Supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal in a statement said the rebels, who want to overthrow the monarchy, have "always avoided the policy of abducting or causing physical harm to foreign citizens, tourists or government officials." "we will ensure that no American citizens -- tourists or officials -- except those who come to the battlefield with the Nepali army would be caused any harm by the maoist militia," said Dahal, better known as "Prachanda." Prachanda said the rebels were "startled" to learn last week of the kidnapping of a British army officer, who was recruiting Nepalese for the two-century-old gurkha regiment, and six Nepalese accompanying him "by a platoon of the People's Liberation Army." "Learning about the abductions, we ordered their immediate release," Prachanda said. Bureau Report