Nepal's new charter strips king of power

Nepal yesterday approved a new temporary constitution to bring former rebel leftists into an interim parliament and strip the king of his executive powers, bringing an end to a decade of civil war.

The new 303-seat parliament, with 83 former rebel members, was sworn in and met for the first time yesterday, nearly nine months after the Maoists and the government reached a ceasefire deal.

Parliament's unanimous vote in favor of the constitution was hailed by a minister in the alliance that has governed since King Gyanendra abandoned direct rule in April 2006.