Nepal Maoists to join government in February: PM

Kathmandu, Jan 19: Nepal's former Maoist rebels will join an interim government in February, the Himalayan nation's prime minister said, capping a fast-moving peace process that is ending a decade-old civil war.

Earlier this week, the Maoists joined an interim parliament, began handing over weapons and dissolved their parallel government and ''people's courts'' under a November peace pact aimed at ending an insurgency in which over 13,000 people died.

''The interim government including the Maoists will be set up in 15-20 days at the latest,'' Girija Prasad Koirala said on state television today.

The interim administration aims to organise elections for a special assembly to prepare a new constitution and decide the future of the monarchy, which the Maoists want abolished. The polls are expected to take place in June.

The Maoists began fighting the monarchy in 1996, but declared a ceasefire last year after mass street demonstrations forced King Gyanendra to give up direct rule.

The former rebels hope the constituent assembly will end the centuries-old monarchy and lead to establishment of a republic.

Koirala said the interim administration would be named after the UN-monitored arms handover.

The peace process is not without its problems. Analysts and media reports say the Maoists are still intimidating other political parties in the villages where the former rebels have a strong influence.

REUTERS

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