Nepal Rebels Join New Parliament

Nepal's parliament was dissolved Monday and was immediately replaced by an interim legislature that includes former communist rebels, officials said.

The ex-guerrillas - taking their first step into mainstream politics after a decade-long insurgency - will have 83 members in the 330-seat interim parliament, making them the second-largest group in the legislature.

Parliament Speaker Subash Nemwang announced the dissolution of the previous parliament Monday evening, after it had unanimously approved a new constitution.

The constitution approved Monday will remain in place until a special assembly, to be elected later this year, can prepare a permanent constitution.

The communist guerrillas signed a truce with the government last year, aimed at ending fighting that claimed 13,000 lives.

The former rebels have joined an interim government that will conduct elections later this year.

Rebel leader Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, said the communist group's top leaders will not be part of the interim legislature.

Mainstream politicians welcomed the development.

"Adoption of the new constitution and the Maoists joining the legislature will establish peace and stability in the country," said Sushil Koirala of the Nepali Congress, the country's largest party.

"We are now moving ahead on the road to establishing a new Nepal, and (to) follow the path as per the aspiration of the people," said Bharat Mohan Adhikari of the Communist Party of Nepal United Marxist-Leninist, another major partner in the coalition government.

The rebels had been fighting since 1996 for a communist state. They are expected to begin handing over their weapons this week to United Nations monitors.