Nepal rebels to temporarily lift blockade

Kathmandu, Apr 26: Nepal's Maoist rebels have lifted a blockade of the capital and other major centres until Friday, their leader said today.

''We have withdrawn our call for a blockade in response to an appeal from the Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala...until the first meeting of the parliament,'' Maoist leader Prachanda said in a statement.

Koirala is set to become Nepal's next prime minister after King Gyanendra handed over power in response to weeks of street protests. Parliament is set to reconvene on Friday after a gap of four years.

Reuters

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