U.N. urges compromise in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- The United Nations reportedly is seeking a compromise to settle Nepal’s current crisis brought on by Maoists quitting the interim government.

Maoist ministers -- who joined the government as part of a peace process that ended the decade-long Maoist rebellion in the Himalayan kingdom -- quit Tuesday to press their demand to abolish the monarchy ahead of the constituent assembly elections in November.

A U.N. spokesman said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been following Nepal’s political developments with concern, while noting Maoist leader Prachanda and Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala have stressed their commitment to the peace process, the Press Trust of India reported.

The Nepalese leaders have said talks among the eight parties in the interim government are continuing to overcome current difficulties, the U.N. spokesman said.

The Maoists plan to take their protest to the people. The split came after Koirala rejected the Maoist demands of declaring Nepal a republic prior to the November constituent assembly elections.

Nepal’s King Gyanendra has lost virtually all his royal powers because of scandals and his crackdown on the democracy movement and the Maoist rebellion. His Shah dynasty has ruled Nepal for two centuries.