Nepal deadlock ends, Maoists to rejoin govt

Ending a three-month deadlock, Nepal’s seven parties on Sunday evening signed a 22-point deal under which the Maoists will rejoin the government and the country will be declared a federal democratic republic through the parliament, subject to ratification by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly.

The government agreed on Sunday to abolish the centuries-old monarchy in a political deal with Maoist former rebels, but the decision only comes into effect after next year’s elections, party officials said. Nepal plunged into a political turmoil three months ago when the anti-monarchy Maoists quit the government.