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Nepal sets the stage for its transition to full republic

A deal between political parties will return former rebels to government and eliminate the monarchy.

KATMANDU, Nepal - Nepal's king will step down under an agreement reached between the country's major political parties to bring former communist rebels back into the government, party officials and the one-time insurgents said Monday.

The deal sets the stage for Nepal's transition to a full republic less than two years after the country's king was forced to cede his near-dictatorial powers after weeks of unrest.

King Gyanendra's reign has been filled with turmoil, beginning with his ascent to power in 2001 after the death of his brother, King Birendra, in a bizarre palace massacre apparently committed by Birendra's son. In all, 10 members of the royal family were killed.

Gyanendra inherited a nation traumatized by the murders, a squabbling political class and a countryside wracked by a violent communist insurgency. He dismissed Nepal's parliament in 2005 and seized total power.

But the insurgency worsened, the economy faltered and Gyanendra used heavy-handed tactics to silence the opposition, banning criticism of himself, his government and the army.

The result was weeks of unrest in April 2006 that ended with Gyanendra restoring the parliament. He has since been stripped of his powers, his command over the army and his immunity from prosecution.

While no timetable has been set for the communists to rejoin the government, the deal signed Sunday stipulates that the monarchy will be eliminated once a special assembly charged with rewriting the constitution is elected.

The rebels have been trying since 1996 to overthrow the government and establish a socialist state. More than 10,500 people have died since the fighting began.

[Last modified December 24, 2007, 23:02:23]