Nepal government, rebels sign historic peace pact

KATHMANDU, Nov 21 (Reuters) Nepal's multi-party government and Maoist rebels signed a comprehensive peace accord today that announced an end to a decade-long revolt in which more than 13,000 people were killed.

The agreement paves the way for the insurgents to be separated from their arms and confined to U.N.-monitored camps in the run-up to national elections next year to decide the future of the monarchy.

''The accord puts an end to the long conflict,'' government negotiator Krishna Prasad Sitaula said after reading the text of the agreement.

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