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Nepal Maoists ready to sit as MPs Nepal Maoists ready to sit as MPs
(about 3 hours later)
Maoist rebels who fought a 10-year war in Nepal are to enter parliament for the first time on Monday ahead of elections later this year. Maoist rebels who fought a 10-year war in Nepal are expected to enter parliament for the first time on Monday ahead of elections later this year.
The historic development is part of an interim arrangement and one of a series of measures to bring the communist rebels into the political fold. The historic move is one of a series of measures to bring the rebels into the fold after a peace deal last year.
The United Nations is stepping up its role in Nepal's peace process. Parliament is debating a new interim constitution to clear the way for rebel MPs to join the house - endorsement is seen as a mere formality.
Nine months ago the Maoists were still an underground, outlawed group but they will now have a share of power. UN monitoring of the rebel fighters and their weapons is to begin on Tuesday.
The current parliament will sit from 0800 (0215 GMT) and is due to endorse a new temporary constitution which, among other things, grants the prime minister the executive powers of a head of state. Steps to peace
There could be many hours of debate but the approval of the charter - expected late in the day - will automatically dissolve the two-chambered house and set up a new unicameral one, including the Maoists. Until nine months ago the Maoists were still an underground, outlawed group but they will now have a share of power in the Himalayan kingdom.
UN involvement Now they [the rebels] will have to learn the politics of compromise Nepal Times editor Kunda Dixit
Under the interim constitution, a draft of which the rebels and the governing seven-party alliance signed last week - the rebels will have about a quarter of parliament's 330 seats.
Among other things the temporary constitution transfers executive powers of head of state from the king to the prime minister.
The approval of the charter - expected late on Monday - will automatically dissolve the two-chambered parliament and set up a new unicameral one, including the Maoists.
The Maoists' share of nominated MPs includes a large number of women and members of marginalised social groups along with civil society activists.The Maoists' share of nominated MPs includes a large number of women and members of marginalised social groups along with civil society activists.
Surprisingly, it also includes a retired major general of the Nepalese army who has voiced republican sentiments. It also includes a retired major general of the Nepalese army who has voiced republican sentiments.
On Tuesday the United Nations is to start monitoring the confinement of the Maoists' weapons in designated camps and registering their combatants in the same places. Joining a new interim government, probably in February, will be the rebels' next step.
The interim government will hold elections by June next year to a constituent assembly which will decide whether to scrap the monarchy or not.
King Gyanendra was forced to give up direct rule last year after mass protests and has since been stripped of powers. He does not have even a ceremonial role in the interim constitution.
UN involvement
Meanwhile, the United Nations is stepping up its role in Nepal's peace process.
On Tuesday it is to start monitoring the confinement of the Maoists' weapons in designated camps and registering their combatants in the same places.
In the past few days the UN secretary general has recommended a fully-fledged UN mission in Nepal to help more broadly with the transition to permanent peace.In the past few days the UN secretary general has recommended a fully-fledged UN mission in Nepal to help more broadly with the transition to permanent peace.
A draft resolution on this is being prepared for endorsement by the Security Council.A draft resolution on this is being prepared for endorsement by the Security Council.