Without an army, Nepal king loses parliament roles

KATHMANDU, June 11 (Reuters) Nepal's once all-powerful King Gyanendra has lost his last legislative roles, three weeks after parliament stripped him of control of the army and forced him to pay taxes.

The state assembly, reinstated by the king in April, approved new guidelines late on Saturday that no longer require the king to open or end parliamentary sessions or announce government policy. This will now be done by the prime minister.

''He is now a ceremonial king,'' said Narayan Man Bijukchhe, a deputy of the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party.

''He will now be above daily political debate,'' Bijukchhe, who headed a panel that finalised the changes, told Reuters.

Meanwhile, independent Kantipur radio said on Sunday that Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, also the chief government negotiator in ongoing talks with Maoist rebels, met rebel leader Prachanda in remote Sikalesh village, 200 km (125 miles) west of Kathmandu. Officials could not be reached for confirmation.

If true, this would be the first high level meeting between the rebel chief and a senior minister.

Gyanendra handed power to political parties in April, following often violent protests supported by Maoist rebels.

In May, parliament approved sweeping curbs on the king's powers, ending his control over the army, forcing him to pay taxes and leaving him open to questions in parliament and the courts.

Under the new regulations, unanimously passed by the 205-member parliament, bills will now become law once the speaker declares them passed. Until now, they had required the signature of the king, who could hold them up indefinitely or return them to parliament for reconsideration.

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