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Nepal to Ax Monarchy, Install Republic

Leaders cave after 3-month standoff with Maoists

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 23, 2007 6:09 PM CST
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(Newser) – After almost three months of deadlock, Nepal agreed today to end its 240-year-old monarchy and set up a republic, the BBC reports. Maoist rebels, who had walked out in October and staged violent protests, struck the deal with Nepal's leaders, which will go into effect after elections next spring.

Despite his status as a reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, King Gyanendra’s popularity shrank after he seized power in 2005 and backed off weeks later under pressure from protesters. Maoists and the nation's six-party alliance warned that if Gyanendra tries to thwart next year's elections, parliament "can remove the monarchy even before the polls."

Activists and supporters of Nepal's communist party Maoist rebels stage a mass demonstration in Katmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, demanding the abolition of the monarchy. Nepal's gvernment agreed Sunday to abolish the monarchy. (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
Activists and supporters of Nepal's communist party Maoist rebels stage a mass demonstration in Katmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, demanding the abolition of the monarchy. Nepal's gvernment agreed...   (Associated Press)
Nepal's Communist party Maoist supporters rally through the streets in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007. Nepal's former rebels had quit the government and warned of widespread protests, sparking a political crisis that threatened to undermine the Himalayan nation's peace process. (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
Nepal's Communist party Maoist supporters rally through the streets in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007. Nepal's former rebels had quit the government and warned of widespread protests, sparking...   (Associated Press)
Nepal's King Gyanendra prays in front of the Rato Machhendranath chariot in Patan, a suburb of Katmandu, Nepal. After more than two months of fighting, Nepal's government has agreed for the first time that the 240-year-old monarchy should be abolished, the BBC says. The leaders of the main political parties...
Nepal's King Gyanendra prays in front of the Rato Machhendranath chariot in Patan, a suburb of Katmandu, Nepal. After more than two months of fighting, Nepal's government has agreed for the first time...   (Associated Press)
Nepal's King Gyanendra was once a beloved monarch but saw his popularity plummet after his efforts to counter the Maoist insurgency worsened an already very bad human rights situation, the BBC says. (AP Photo/Binod Joshi, File)
Nepal's King Gyanendra was once a beloved monarch but saw his popularity plummet after his efforts to counter the Maoist insurgency worsened an already very bad human rights situation, the BBC says. (AP...   (Associated Press)
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insurgents • human rights • monarchy • Nepal • Maoists • Gyanendra • Birendra • republic

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