House approves interim constitution

Kathmandu, Jan 15 (UNI) Nepal's Parliament today unanimously approved a new interim constitution which has not given any role to the King for the first time in the history of 239-year-old rule of the monarchy.

''The proposed interim constitution has been unanimously approved after no 'nays' were heard during the voice voting,'' said Mr Subash Nembang, speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR).

The interim constitution was provisionally approved in the last session of the HoR, Mr Nembang said.

The interim constitution has 25 Parts, 167 Articles and three Annexes.

The new interim parliament, with 83 Maoists members, is due to meet for the first time later in the evening. According to sources, Prachanda is also scheduled to visit the parliament.

The new 329-seat interim legislature will also sit for another session to ratify the interim constitution later in the evening.

The new MPs will soon take oath of office and secrecy before the interim legislature parliament.

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