Nepal's government and former communist rebels began negotiations today to set up an interim government that would include ex-guerrillas for the first time, reported the Associated Press. No formal agreements were reached in the meeting between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and top Maoist leader Prachanda and his deputy, Baburam Bhattarai, on Friday, said Tourism Minister Pradeep Gyawal, a member of the government's peace negotiating team. A meeting will be held soon between leaders of the seven parties in the ruling alliance and Maoists, Gyawal said, to discuss the proposed interim government and what role the ex-guerrillas would play in the new administration. Since signing a peace accord last year with the government, the Maoists have joined a temporary Parliament formally entering mainstream politics. -- SPA
