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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 expected to enter parliament for the first time on Monday ahead of elections later this year. Nepalese MPs have unanimously backed a new interim constitution, paving the way for Maoists to enter parliament.
The historic move is one of a series of measures to bring the rebels into the fold after a peace deal last year.The historic move is one of a series of measures to bring the rebels into the fold after a peace deal last year.
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. The rebels, who fought a 10-year war which cost 13,000 lives, are expected to take their seats later on Monday.
UN monitoring of the rebel fighters and their weapons is to begin on Tuesday. They are to join an interim government which will organise elections by June next year. The UN will begin monitoring rebel fighters 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.
Now they [the rebels] will have to learn the politics of compromise Nepal Times editor Kunda DixitNow 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. 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.
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 - expected late on Monday - will automatically dissolve the two-chambered parliament and set up a new unicameral one, including the Maoists. The approval of the charter automatically dissolves the old two-chambered parliament and sets 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.
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 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.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.