Nepal Government, Maoist Rebels Reach Agreement
16 June 2006
Nepal's government and Maoist rebels have reached agreement to form a new interim government.
Details of the agreement are not yet available.
Earlier Friday Nepal's prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, opened direct peace talks in the capital, Kathmandu, with the country's main rebel leader.
The meeting at the prime minister's residence was the first known negotiations between Maoist rebel leader Prachanda and Nepal's political leadership.
Other political parties in the ruling alliance joined the talks after the prime minister's initial discussions with Prachanda.
The talks were aimed at ending a decade-long insurgency that has claimed more than 12,000 lives.
Government and Maoist representives made initial contacts after King Gyanendra returned power to a multi-party government in April. The two sides agreed last month to observe a ceasefire and expand negotiations.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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