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Nepal's 'day of reconciliation' Nepal's 'day of reconciliation'
(about 6 hours later)
Nepal has declared a public holiday to mark a new interim constitution, paving the way for the rebels to enter parliament for the first time.Nepal has declared a public holiday to mark a new interim constitution, paving the way for the rebels to enter parliament for the first time.
PM Girija Prasad Koirala said Tuesday was a day of reconciliation among political parties and people.PM Girija Prasad Koirala said Tuesday was a day of reconciliation among political parties and people.
Under a peace deal agreed last year, former Maoist rebels agreed to end a 10-year insurgency.Under a peace deal agreed last year, former Maoist rebels agreed to end a 10-year insurgency.
The agreement was reached after widespread public protests forced the king to give most of his powers.The agreement was reached after widespread public protests forced the king to give most of his powers.
The temporary constitution formally transfers powers to the prime minister.The temporary constitution formally transfers powers to the prime minister.
The Maoists took their seats in an interim parliament on Monday.The Maoists took their seats in an interim parliament on Monday.
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 rebels into the fold after last year's peace deal. The 10-year insurgency cost 13,000 lives.
The United Nations is stepping up its role in Nepal's peace process and begins monitoring Maoist troops and weapons on Tuesday.The United Nations is stepping up its role in Nepal's peace process and begins monitoring Maoist troops and weapons on Tuesday.
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.
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.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 Maoists fought a 10-year guerrilla warThe approval of the charter automatically dissolved the old two-chambered parliament and set up a new unicameral one, including the Maoists. The 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 Maoists' 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 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.