Nepal and Maoists prepare to sign peace accord

Kathmandu, Nov 21: A comprehensive peace accord is going to be signed tonight between Nepal's seven party alliance government and the Maoists ending the 10-yr insurgency and holding elections to the constituent assembly by June next year.

Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoists chairman Prachanda held talks at the Prime Minister's residence Baluwatar today to finalise the peace accord.

Prime Minister Koirala and Mr Prachanda will sign the accord at Birendra International Convention centre in the presence of senior leaders of the alliance, a senior leader of the seven party alliance said.

This will be decisive for democracy, peace and prosperty of Nepal, he said adding that after the signing of the agreement, it will pave way to include the Maoists in the interim government, promulgate interim constitution and manage the arms of the rebels under the monitoring of the UN.

More than 13,000 people have killed in the ten-year insurgency.

Seven parties and the Maoists formed an alliance to launch movement against King Gyanendra's direct rule last year.

The king was forced to step down and the restored parliament cut down the power of the king and disconnected his links with the Nepal army.

UNI

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