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Breakthrough hopes in Nepal talks | Breakthrough hopes in Nepal talks |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Nepal's government and Maoist rebels have resumed peace talks aimed at finalising a landmark agreement to end a decade of bloody insurgency. | |
Rebel leaders say a breakthrough is likely as key differences between the sides have been ironed out. The government is echoing the optimism. | |
The two sides have disagreed on the future of the monarchy and how to manage weapons possessed by the rebels. | |
About 13,000 people died in the rebels' 10-year struggle for a communist state. | |
Arms 'deal' | |
Monday's meeting comes after the rebels' most senior leader, Prachanda, held informal talks with Prime Minister GP Koirala on Sunday in the presence of a United Nations representative. Mr Prachanda says a major breakthrough is likely | |
The BBC's Sushil Sharma in Kathmandu says under the deal being hammered out the rebels' weapons would be locked up under UN supervision. | |
The rebels would keep the key, but they have agreed the weapons would be monitored by the UN with alarm bells or closed circuit cameras in place. | |
A UN team is in Nepal at the request of the two sides. | |
Prachanda said a similar arrangement would apply to the weapons of the government army. | |
Interim government | Interim government |
The prime minister and Prachanda have also reportedly agreed that the first meeting of the proposed constituent assembly will decide the fate of the monarchy. | |
Elections to the assembly are planned by June next year. | |
The two sides are also expected to announce an agreement on an interim constitution and an interim parliament to clear the way for an interim government which would include the rebels. | |
Peace talks began after a popular uprising forced King Gyanendra to end his direct rule in April and appoint a multi-party government. | |
The rebels, who claim to have about 35,000 fighters, backed the protests and subsequently entered into talks with the new government. | |
Last month, the two sides held four rounds of talks but negotiations stalled on the issue of rebel disarmament and the monarchy's future. | Last month, the two sides held four rounds of talks but negotiations stalled on the issue of rebel disarmament and the monarchy's future. |