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Nepalese Maoists enter parliament Nepalese Maoists enter parliament
(about 7 hours later)
Maoist rebels have taken their seats in a new interim parliament in Nepal under a historic deal ending 10 years of war. Former Maoist rebels have taken their seats in an interim parliament in Nepal under a deal ending 10 years of war.
Top rebel leaders watched from the public gallery as 83 Maoist MPs took the oath in the 330-seat assembly. Top Maoist leaders watched from the public gallery as 83 Maoist MPs took the oath in the 330-seat assembly.
Earlier, the house unanimously backed a new interim constitution, paving the way for the rebels to enter parliament.Earlier, the house unanimously backed a new interim constitution, paving the way for the rebels to enter parliament.
The historic move is one of a series of measures to bring the rebels into the fold after last year's peace deal. The 10-year insurgency cost 13,000 lives. The historic move is one of a series of measures to bring the Maoists into the fold after last year's peace deal. The 10-year insurgency cost 13,000 lives.
The United Nations will begin monitoring rebel fighters and weapons on Tuesday. The United Nations will begin monitoring Maoist troops and weapons on Tuesday, which has been declared a public holiday to mark the introduction of the interim constitution.
Steps to peaceSteps to peace
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.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.
Today is a day of reconciliation among all the political parties and the people Prime Minister GP KoiralaToday is a day of reconciliation among all the political parties and the people Prime Minister GP Koirala
Under the interim constitution, a draft of which the rebels and the governing seven-party alliance signed last week - the rebels have about a quarter of parliament's 330 seats. Under the interim constitution, a draft of which the former rebels and the governing seven-party alliance signed last week - the Maoists 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.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 automatically dissolved the old two-chambered parliament and set up a new unicameral one, including the Maoists.The approval of the charter automatically dissolved the old two-chambered parliament and set up a new unicameral one, including the Maoists.
"Today is a day of reconciliation among all the political parties and the people," Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala told parliament."Today is a day of reconciliation among all the political parties and the people," Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala told parliament.
The Maoists fought a 10-year guerrilla warThe Maoists fought a 10-year guerrilla war
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.
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.
Joining a new interim government, probably in February, will be the rebels' next step. Joining a new interim government, probably in February, will be the Maoists' 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.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.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 involvementUN involvement
Meanwhile, the United Nations is stepping up its role in Nepal's peace process.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.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.