Nepal's governing parties and Maoist rebels held talks yesterday an interim constitution that could bring the rebels into government and see the monarchy suspended. Leaders from the ruling seven-party coalition, including Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, attended the talks, while the Maoists were represented by their second-in-command, Baburam Bhatterai. Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the document could be finalised later Thursday but added the political parties "not us were taking their time over the document".
Senior government negotiator Pradeep Gyawali said talks Wednesday were "positive and sorted out differences that cropped up on some crucial issues, including who (was) to be made the head of state in the interim period". But he did not divulge details. The Maoists have said they want to strip King Gyanendra of his title and name a temporary head of state, such as Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala -- the respected octogenarian architect of last month's peace deal that officially ended a decade-long civil war.
Some members of the interim coalition, however, would prefer to see the position left open or the king -- who is still revered by many in the conservative nation as a Hindu deity -- retain a strictly ceremonial role.