Nepal's draft constitution likely to be approved today

KATHMANDU, Dec 14: Nepal's seven ruling parties and Maoist former rebels were likely to approve the draft of an interim constitution today, officials said, part of a landmark peace accord between both sides.

''There are no major differences. Only some differences over the electoral procedures, fundamental rights and appointment of judges during the interim period are to be sorted out,'' Ram Chandra Poudel, a senior leader of the Nepali Congress party, the biggest in the seven-party alliance, told Reuters.

The interim constitution is required for the Maoists to join a temporary parliament and government ahead of elections for the constituent assembly planned for June 2007.

''We hope the (draft) interim constitution will be approved and signed today,'' said Maoist spokesman and chief negotiator Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

The delay in finalizing the interim constitution due to political jockeying and hard bargaining by both sides has also held up the Maoists joining the interim government by Dec. 1, as laid out under the peace deal.

The signing of the peace pact last month effectively ended the 10-year-old anti-monarchy Maoist revolt in which more than 13,000 people have died, sparking national celebrations.

Both sides have agreed that the constituent assembly will prepare a permanent constitution for Nepal and decide the future of the monarchy, which will remain powerless until then.

In April, mass pro-democracy protests forced King Gyanendra to cede his absolute powers to a multi-party government.

Reuters