Peace returns to nepal, violence to lanka

LAKHS OF people took to the streets of Kathmandu on Tuesday to celebrate their "victory" over King Gyanendra on the pro-democracy demand, while the Seven Party Alliance unanimously nominated veteran leader Girija Prasad Koirala to lead the interim government.

Koirala is PM, Maoists go their own way

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LAKHS OF people took to the streets of Kathmandu on Tuesday to celebrate their "victory" over King Gyanendra on the pro-democracy demand, while the Seven Party Alliance unanimously nominated veteran leader Girija Prasad Koirala to lead the interim government.

After the SPA meeting, Communist Party of Nepal (UML)'s Madhav Kumar Nepal told HT: "The announcement of constituent assembly elections will be the main agenda of the reinstated parliament."

Expressing their commitment to the 12-point understanding reached between the SPA and the Maoists, the leaders called on the rebels to support the move to reinstate parliament.

The Maoists, however, said the royal proclamation failed to address the demands raised by the people, and threatened to continue with their movement against the monarch. In a statement issued to HT through e-mail, Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal (alias Prachanda) and his deputy Baburam Bhattarai blamed the seven parties of committing a 'historic mistake' by deciding to accept Gyanendra's offer to reinstate the House.

The Maoists announced protests -- including demonstrations and the blockade of the valley and district headquarters -- till the announcement of elections to the constituent assembly.