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| Nepal prepares to become republic | Nepal prepares to become republic |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Nepal is due to become a republic and end 240 years of royal rule. | Nepal is due to become a republic and end 240 years of royal rule. |
| A newly-elected assembly is to meet in the capital, Kathmandu, with the tasks of abolishing the monarchy and preparing a new national constitution. | A newly-elected assembly is to meet in the capital, Kathmandu, with the tasks of abolishing the monarchy and preparing a new national constitution. |
| As the assembly was being sworn in on Tuesday a bomb explosion in the capital injured two people. | As the assembly was being sworn in on Tuesday a bomb explosion in the capital injured two people. |
| Meanwhile thousands of people have gathered on the streets of the capital and near the assembly in support of "republic day". | |
| "Let's celebrate the dawn of a republic in a grand manner," a voice blared from one loudspeaker, Reuters news agency says. | "Let's celebrate the dawn of a republic in a grand manner," a voice blared from one loudspeaker, Reuters news agency says. |
| [The king] has no choice, but if he refuses to leave the palace we will use the law to force him out of there Baburam BhattaraiMaoist deputy leader Head to head: Nepal's monarchy | [The king] has no choice, but if he refuses to leave the palace we will use the law to force him out of there Baburam BhattaraiMaoist deputy leader Head to head: Nepal's monarchy |
| The assembly is huge and Tuesday's ceremony, performed by an older member of the newly-elected body, saw 575 men and women being sworn in. | |
| Many wore traditional clothing and used their mother tongues for the occasion in this ethnically mixed country. | Many wore traditional clothing and used their mother tongues for the occasion in this ethnically mixed country. |
| Just 26 more members have yet to be nominated by the biggest parties. | Just 26 more members have yet to be nominated by the biggest parties. |
| Leave the palace | Leave the palace |
| Nepal stands on the brink of huge change, says the BBC's Charles Haviland in the capital Kathmandu. | Nepal stands on the brink of huge change, says the BBC's Charles Haviland in the capital Kathmandu. |
| NEPAL'S MONARCHY Has ruled for 238 yearsMonarchs seen as incarnations of the Hindu God VishnuKing Birendra killed in 2001 palace massacre by Crown Prince Dipendra, after which Birendra's brother Gyanendra becomes kingOct 2002: King Gyanendra dismisses elected government, then a year later declares state of emergencyFeb 2005: Assumes complete controlApril 2006: Mass demonstrations lead to end of direct palace rule | |
| The assembly has been given the initial task of rubber-stamping the abolition of the monarchy. | The assembly has been given the initial task of rubber-stamping the abolition of the monarchy. |
| Reports said King Gyanendra and Queen Komal were seen driving out of the royal palace on Tuesday afternoon, but it was not clear where they were going or for how long they would be gone. | Reports said King Gyanendra and Queen Komal were seen driving out of the royal palace on Tuesday afternoon, but it was not clear where they were going or for how long they would be gone. |
| Officials say they will be given 15 days to vacate the palace. | Officials say they will be given 15 days to vacate the palace. |
| "He has no choice, but if he refuses to leave the palace we will use the law to force him out of there," said Baburam Bhattarai, the deputy leader of the Maoists, Nepal's former rebels. | "He has no choice, but if he refuses to leave the palace we will use the law to force him out of there," said Baburam Bhattarai, the deputy leader of the Maoists, Nepal's former rebels. |
| "Once a republic is declared the king will automatically lose his position and place in the palace," he told the Associated Press | "Once a republic is declared the king will automatically lose his position and place in the palace," he told the Associated Press |
| Exactly how a republic will be voted in is still not clear. | Exactly how a republic will be voted in is still not clear. |
| Nepal's progress towards becoming the world's newest republic has been marred by bombs being planted in the capital for two days running this week. | Nepal's progress towards becoming the world's newest republic has been marred by bombs being planted in the capital for two days running this week. |
| On Tuesday, two explosive devices were left in a city centre park, but police said only one exploded, slightly injuring two people. | On Tuesday, two explosive devices were left in a city centre park, but police said only one exploded, slightly injuring two people. |
| As before, pamphlets were found in the name of a little-known hardline Hindu group. | As before, pamphlets were found in the name of a little-known hardline Hindu group. |
| Some militant pro-Hindu and pro-royal factions are campaigning violently against Nepal's shedding of its royal - and its officially Hindu - status. | Some militant pro-Hindu and pro-royal factions are campaigning violently against Nepal's shedding of its royal - and its officially Hindu - status. |