Nepal leaders meet to end deadlock on monarchy

Gyanendra

KATHMANDU, Saturday (AFP) -Nepal's government and Maoist leaders held a fresh round of talks on Saturday in a bid to reach agreement on the former rebels' demand for immediate abolition of the monarchy. The nation was thrown into turmoil two weeks ago when the Maoists stormed out of the coalition government and demanded that King Gyanendra and his two-century-old dynasty be axed, jeopardising the nation's fragile peace.

“Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoist chairman Prachanda and other leaders are holding discussions to end the political deadlock,” Maoist deputy commander Ananta, who goes by one name, told AFP.

“The bottom line is that the monarchy should be abolished immediately and a proportional election system should be adopted before November polls,” senior Maoist leader Dev Gurung said.