We're happy to talk to rivals : Suthep

"I will talk with all groups that are against the government, be it at a provincial level or national level, just to tell them that we're determined to restore peace and order for the benefit of the people. Let us cooperate. If you can't help, then don't try to destroy us or cause more problems."

Suthep said he had always maintained contact with the red-shirt pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship group, and that he was in the process of setting up meetings with some of its members. He declined to give specific names though.

He said if Thaksin were to return home and face the judicial system, he would not be treated wrongly.

Suthep admitted the path ahead for the government may not be easy but it was ready to face more opposition in the weeks and months to come.

"We can take what comes our way," he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday the opposition Pheu Thai Party had the right to file a petition with the Constitution Court to rule on whether the change in venue to deliver the government policy statement on Tuesday was constitutional or not.

The policy statement was read at the Foreign Ministry because red-shirt protesters blocked access to Parliament. Abhisist admitted the late change of venue may affect the government's image, but insisted it had been done to avoid clashes with protesters.

"We're not in a normal situation ... One can't expect things to go the way one likes," he said.

Asked how he could prevent the DAAD from holding a demonstration similar to the one held by the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Abhisit said enforcing the law was important. As for the DAAD laying siege to Government House, he said the government would try to solve problems before protests hit the streets.

But it was wrong to promote the belief that people could take to the streets if their demands were not met. Plus, taking over government offices was against the law, he said.

The new prime minister said he would try to avoid clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters to prevent the loss of any lives.