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| Nepal prepares to become republic | Nepal prepares to become republic |
| (9 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, to abolish the monarchy but its key vote has been postponed for a few hours. | A newly-elected assembly is to meet in the capital, Kathmandu, to abolish the monarchy but its key vote has been postponed for a few hours. |
| 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". | Meanwhile thousands of people have gathered on the streets of the capital and near the assembly in support of "republic day". |
| [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 |
| "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. |
| Some 1,500 police, some with body armour and shields, ringed the conference centre where the assembly was meeting. | Some 1,500 police, some with body armour and shields, ringed the conference centre where the assembly was meeting. |
| It has also been enclosed by a ring of razor wire. | It has also been enclosed by a ring of razor wire. |
| 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. |
| The Maoists, who emerged as the largest party in last month's elections, are committed to removing the monarchy. | The Maoists, who emerged as the largest party in last month's elections, are committed to removing the monarchy. |
| They entered the political arena after signing a peace deal in 2006 ending a decade-long insurgency. | They entered the political arena after signing a peace deal in 2006 ending a decade-long insurgency. |
| Leave the palace | Leave the palace |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 Profile: King Gyanendra | 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 Profile: King Gyanendra |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| But a senior politician told the BBC the vote had been postponed for a few hours. | But a senior politician told the BBC the vote had been postponed for a few hours. |
| The Maoists and the other main parties are trying to settle differences about whether the presidency should be a purely ceremonial role and how much power the prime minister should have in the current interim arrangements. They are also arguing about who should hold these posts. | The Maoists and the other main parties are trying to settle differences about whether the presidency should be a purely ceremonial role and how much power the prime minister should have in the current interim arrangements. They are also arguing about who should hold these posts. |
| Even if that was not agreed on Wednesday the republic would still be voted in, the politician said. | Even if that was not agreed on Wednesday the republic would still be voted in, the politician said. |
| The assembly then has two years to come up with permanent arrangements for a new constitution. | The assembly then has two years to come up with permanent arrangements for a new constitution. |
| Hindu militants | Hindu militants |
| 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. |
| class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAY I don't know what is going to happen but I don't see a smooth road Anu, Kathmandu class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4859&edition=2&ttl=20080528095142">Send us your commentsOfficials say they will be given 15 days to vacate the palace. | |
| 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. |