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Nepal sworn in Prime Minister

— Photo: AP

Nepal’s new Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in his office in Kathmandu on Monday.

KATHMANDU: Madhav Kumar Nepal took oath as Prime Minister of Nepal on Monday. After assuming office, he said cooperation from all sides — political parties and the general public — was needed to address the needs of the country which he admitted was in a difficult situation.

“Like the past government, this government too has the historic task to complete, that of meaningful conclusion of the peace process and delivering of a new Constitution within the stipulated time,” he said.

Mr. Nepal also heads the Constitutional Committee that is tasked with presenting the new constitution by 2010.

Mr. Nepal, who became Prime Minister after Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” resigned, expressed the hope that the Maoists would join the government. He believed that they too had a historic responsibility.

Dismissing the Maoist leaders’ claim that the new government would fall soon as a day-dream, he said the new government would complete its term, lasting until a constitution was drafted, peace process reached its logical conclusion and an environment for next election was created.

“Increasing tussle and chaos will benefit no one,” he said. Mr. Nepal also administered oath to two Ministers — UML leaders Bidya Bhandari who has become the first woman in Nepal to look after Defence and Surendra Pandey who will handle Finance. The first Cabinet meeting was also held at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Like Mr. Prachanda, Mr. Nepal also did not take the oath “in the name of god”. Mr. Prachanda said “in the name of people,” while Mr. Nepal did not say anything replacing “in the name of god”. However, unlike Mr. Prachanda, Mr. Nepal was attired in the national dress — Daura Suruwal.

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