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Nepal agrees to abolish monarchy Nepal agrees to abolish monarchy
(about 1 hour later)
The government of Nepal has agreed to abolish the monarchy as part of a deal to persuade Maoist former rebels to rejoin the interim administration. Nepal's government has agreed to abolish the monarchy as part of a deal to persuade Maoist former rebels to rejoin the interim administration.
Under the deal, Nepal will be declared a republic after a general election has been held next year and a new constituent assembly established.Under the deal, Nepal will be declared a republic after a general election has been held next year and a new constituent assembly established.
The Maoists pulled out of the government in September, demanding an immediate end to the monarchy.The Maoists pulled out of the government in September, demanding an immediate end to the monarchy.
The latest deal was signed by Nepal's main parties, including the Maoists.The latest deal was signed by Nepal's main parties, including the Maoists.
However no date has been set for the ex-rebels to rejoin the government. But no date has been set for the ex-rebels to rejoin the government.
Austere kingAustere king
The six-party ruling alliance and the Maoists said in a statement: "Nepal will be a federal democratic republic nation and the decision will be implemented after the first meeting of the constituent assembly."
Elections for the new 601-member assembly are due to be held in April.
The BBC's Charles Haviland in Nepal says that, while a milestone, the move is no surprise.The BBC's Charles Haviland in Nepal says that, while a milestone, the move is no surprise.
The Maoists have not stopped using violence from time to timeThe Maoists have not stopped using violence from time to time
The Maoists walked out of the government three months ago, vowing not to return unless the royal system was scrapped.The Maoists walked out of the government three months ago, vowing not to return unless the royal system was scrapped.
They have now secured what they wanted, even though the other parties in the ruling coalition had said, up to now, that voters should decide on the issue via the new assembly, our correspondent adds.They have now secured what they wanted, even though the other parties in the ruling coalition had said, up to now, that voters should decide on the issue via the new assembly, our correspondent adds.
Analysts say that many Nepalis will be happy to have a republic.Analysts say that many Nepalis will be happy to have a republic.
Since the death of the well-loved King Birendra in the notorious palace massacre of 2001, the monarchy's popularity has sunk under his brother, Gyanendra - whose efforts to counter the Maoist insurgency led to a worsening of the country's human rights situation. Unpopular monarchy
The monarchy's popularity has sunk since the death of the well-loved King Birendra in a notorious palace massacre of 2001.
Efforts by his brother, Gyanendra, to tackle the Maoist insurgency led to a worsening of the country's human rights situation.
Analysts say the king lost popular support after his decision in 2005 to sack the government and assume absolute power - only to back down after huge protests.
The Maoists called a ceasefire after the king ended his controversial direct rule in April 2006 and restored parliament.The Maoists called a ceasefire after the king ended his controversial direct rule in April 2006 and restored parliament.
The king backed down after weeks of strikes and protests against his rule which saw huge demonstrations against him.
Political parties - who were then in opposition and are now in government - had promised to work with the Maoists as a prelude to bringing them into government.Political parties - who were then in opposition and are now in government - had promised to work with the Maoists as a prelude to bringing them into government.
The political crisis came amid a rise in ethnic and religious tension, as regional groups strove to assert their authority in advance of the elections.The political crisis came amid a rise in ethnic and religious tension, as regional groups strove to assert their authority in advance of the elections.
More than 13,000 people died during Nepal's decade-long insurgency, many of them civilians caught in cross-fire with security forces.