KATHMANDU, Nepal, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Maoist rebels and leaders of Nepal's eight political parties agreed Saturday to an interim constitution that strips King Gyanendra of his powers.
The constitution gives all executive powers to the prime minister, the Press Trust of India reported. The agreement followed hours of discussion at the home of Prime Minister G.P. Koirala.
The document will not take effect unless it is approved by the cabinet and the House of Representatives.
The role of the king is to be decided by a constitutional assembly.
The constitution has 167 articles.
Gyanendra became king in 2001 after his nephew went on a bloody rampage with a knife, killing his father and other members of the royal family before inflicting a fatal wound on himself.
Gyanendra assumed more and more power, saying that centralized rule was needed to combat the Maoists, who had been fighting for a decade.
In April, massive demonstrations forced the king to give up direct rule, paving the way for a political settlement.
While the Maoists are adamantly republican, a poll this week showed considerable public sentiment for retaining the king as head of state.
