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Former Maoists join Nepal's new government

Nepal's former Maoist guerrillas joined an interim government yesterday, officials said, a move that takes them into the political mainstream as part of a peace deal that ended a decade-old revolt.

In his new multiparty government, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala appointed five nominees of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), the officials said.

"A new chapter has begun in the history of Nepal," Koirala said, speaking in the interim parliament which the Maoists joined in January.

"Let's all unite and complete this chapter," he said

The once-feared Maoist guerrillas signed a peace deal in November with the government ending their revolt against the monarchy that killed more than 13,000 people.

Their admission into an interim administration was delayed for two days as coalition partners haggled over ministerial posts.

Yesterday, Koirala ceremonially quit his post as prime minister only to be re-elected by the interim parliament. He then administered the oath of office to new ministers, including the Maoists.

The interim government is to hold elections for a constituent assembly in June to prepare a new constitution and also decide the future of the monarchy, which the Maoists want abolished.

The new government is expected to boost a peace process overshadowed by recent protests by ethnic groups in Nepal's southern plains, which left at least 58 people dead this year.

Wrangling over the new Cabinet was resolved earlier on Saturday, clearing the way for the interim government to be named.

Koirala's Nepali Congress party and the Communist Party of Nepal United Marxist-Leninist, a mainstream political party not affiliated with the former communist rebels, were able to settle a dispute over which party would be second in command in the new government.

Jhal Nath Khanal of the Communist Party of Nepal United Marxist-Leninist said his party backed down, allowing the Nepali Congress to take the No. 2 slot.

Koirala met leaders of the seven ruling parties and the communists yesterday at his official residence to work out the differences.

The inclusion of the former rebels in the government is part of the peace process that began last year.

The landmark agreement on the formation of a joint government was reached late on Friday in a meeting among Koirala, leaders of the seven ruling coalition parties and Prachanda, the leader of the former rebels who goes by a single name.

The interim government is to hold elections later this year for a special assembly that will rewrite the Constitution and decide whether Nepal, a constitutional monarchy, will continue to have a king.
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