This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7165185.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Nepal Maoist ministers sworn in | |
(about 19 hours later) | |
Four former Nepalese Maoist rebels have been sworn in as cabinet ministers, completing the movement's return to a coalition government. | |
They rejoined the government after a deal which abolished the monarchy. | |
The Maoists left the government in September, vowing not to return unless the monarchy was scrapped. They ended a decade-long insurgency last year. | The Maoists left the government in September, vowing not to return unless the monarchy was scrapped. They ended a decade-long insurgency last year. |
Parliament voted on Friday to scrap the monarchy, though the decision will only take effect next year. | Parliament voted on Friday to scrap the monarchy, though the decision will only take effect next year. |
The move ended a political crisis in Nepal which meant elections due in November had to be rescheduled. | The move ended a political crisis in Nepal which meant elections due in November had to be rescheduled. |
The Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, administered the oath of office to four of the former rebels at a ceremony in Kathmandu. | |
A fifth minister is expected to be sworn in later. Their portfolios include information, planning and women. | |
Both the prime minister and the former rebels said their priority was to ensure that elections were held on schedule by April. | |
The Maoists decided to rejoin the coalition last week following the agreement with the government to abolish the monarchy. | |
Our main agenda now will be to make sure elections are held on time Baburam BhattaraiMaoist deputy leader Baburam Bhattarai | |
The current ruling dynasty in Nepal dates back to 1769. | The current ruling dynasty in Nepal dates back to 1769. |
It was rocked in June 2001 when the then Crown Prince Dipendra, in a drunken fury, shot dead his parents, King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, and seven other members of the royal family before killing himself. | It was rocked in June 2001 when the then Crown Prince Dipendra, in a drunken fury, shot dead his parents, King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, and seven other members of the royal family before killing himself. |
This brought to the throne the less-than-popular Gyanendra, the former king's brother. | This brought to the throne the less-than-popular Gyanendra, the former king's brother. |
His own fall from grace began in February 2005 when he dismissed parliament and took executive powers for himself, saying this was the way to root out corruption and end the Maoist insurgency of the day. | His own fall from grace began in February 2005 when he dismissed parliament and took executive powers for himself, saying this was the way to root out corruption and end the Maoist insurgency of the day. |
But his heavy-handed action united political opposition to him, and a violent uprising in April last year forced him to restore parliament. | But his heavy-handed action united political opposition to him, and a violent uprising in April last year forced him to restore parliament. |
The new civil authorities have since stripped him of his powers, his command over the army, and his immunity from prosecution - and now are set to strip him of his title. |
Previous version
1
Next version