Nepalese Parliament Approves Vote

Nepal's Parliament unanimously approved on Sunday the proposal made by the new Prime Minister to hold elections for a new Constitution to decide the future of the monarchy.

This decision was taken by the 205 members after 4 hours of debate over the proposal. The election schedule is expected only after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's Government has held talks with Maoist insurgents asking for their support to the plan.

"Without the election to the constituent assembly the Maoist problem cannot be solved and the aspirations of the Nepali people for peace cannot be achieved," lawmaker Rajendra Mahato of the Nepal Sadbhavana Party said.

"I urge the Maoists, who have announced a three-month ceasefire, to stop violence now and come for talks immediately," said Koirala, urging parties to unite for a smooth transition of the country.

Koirala was sworn Prime Minister after weeks of heated protests against the country's king, this being the 4th time the 84-year-old politician serves as head of Government. King Gyanendra seized absolute power in February 2005 and was forced to back down by a coalition of 7 political parties.

These factions rallied hundreds of thousands of protesters onto the streets for 3 months. The new Prime Minister clarified his priorities, namely peace talks with the rebels, who declared a 3-month ceasefire last week, and elections to an assembly for a new Constitution.