Head of Nepal's army steps down

Nepal's army chief, Gen Pyar Jung Thapa, has ended active duty.
Gen Thapa began one month's leave on Friday, a tradition for the head of the army before retiring.
Gen Thapa has been subject to widespread criticism for his role in the government's crackdown against pro-democracy activists this year.
He has denied any wrongdoing. A judicial commission interrogated him last month over the protests, in which more than 20 people were killed.
The protests resulted in King Gyanendra giving up direct rule.
The commission is yet to submit its report.
Unified command
The army's second-in-command, Lt. Gen Rukmangad Katuwal, is expected to be appointed the acting army chief.
The army led the unified command of security agencies that was deployed to maintain law and order during the protests.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the street across the country to press for the restoration of democracy during the three weeks of protests.
A multi-party government has been in place since then.
After the restoration of parliament, the House of Representatives severed the king's ties with the army and changed the name of the Royal Nepalese Army to the Nepali Army.

Nepal talks 'not breaking down'

A senior Nepalese minister has said there was no immediate prospect of peace talks with the Maoist rebels breaking down.
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said the government was trying to reach an understanding with the rebels over decommissioning of their weapons.
His statement comes a day after a rebel leader, Baburam Bhattarai, warned the talks were close to collapse.
The rebels called a truce after King Gyanendra ended direct rule in April.
The Maoists and a seven-party alliance clinched a landmark power-sharing deal in June.
The government and rebels have differed recently over a government plan for the United Nations to be involved in the decommissioning of the rebels' weapons.
'No threat'
The two sides have also differed on the future of monarchy in the country.
Mr Sitaula, who is also the chief government negotiator, told the BBC that he did not see any immediate threat of the talks falling through.
He said the government was keen to reach an understanding with the rebels on the issue of handing over the weapons.
On Monday, the deputy chief of the rebels, Baburam Bhattarai said peace talks with the government could break down if it insisted on retaining monarchy.
"The talks are very close to collapse. The dialogue process is stuck at a very sensitive stage," Mr Bhattarai said.

He said his party would not return to the jungle and would launch a peaceful movement in order to make the country a democratic republic.
He said Nepalese people favoured abolishing the monarchy.
The rebel leader also accused Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala of trying to protect King Gyanendra, who gave up direct power in April following weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations.
The BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu says that talks between the government and the rebel party are deadlocked, mainly over whether or not the Maoists should be fully disarmed before joining an interim government.
Rhetoric
Our correspondent says that some analysts believe Dr Bhattarai, known for his hardline rhetoric, may be trying to shift attention away from the weapons issue to the question of the monarchy.
Mr Koirala has been advocating a ceremonial role for the monarchy since it was stripped of its powers and privileges in May.

Entrancenepal.com is hitting the country.

Breakthrough in Nepal arms talks

The Nepalese government and Maoist rebels have reached agreement on the supervision of their weapons, an issue that has impeded their peace talks.
The United Nations will be asked to monitor both sides' arms, a joint statement issued in the capital, Kathmandu said.
Earlier this week, the rebels' deputy leader warned the talks could collapse over the future of the monarchy.
The rebels called a truce after King Gyanendra ended direct rule in April.
'Significant event'
The government has agreed that its troops will be confined to their barracks, while the rebels say their arms will be kept in one set of camps, the statement said.
It was issued after talks between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist leader Prachanda.
"It is a significant event in the peace process. We have been able to respond to the aspirations of people for peace and prosperity," the government's main negotiator, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said.
For the rebels, negotiator Krishna Mahara was equally positive: "The agreement has decreased the mistrust and opened door to move ahead with the peace process."
Analysts say the deal could pave the way for the Maoists to join an interim government before a constituent assembly decides the country's future.
The Maoists and a seven-party alliance clinched a landmark power-sharing deal in June.
It followed a sustained campaign of street protests in April that culminated in King Gyanendra surrendering his powers.
But in recent weeks talks have stalled over the issues of arms and whether Nepal should continue to have a monarchy.
The Maoists favour a communist republic, while Prime Minister Koirala has been advocating a ceremonial role for the monarchy. The Nepalese government and Maoist rebels have reached agreement on the supervision of their weapons, an issue that has impeded their peace talks.
The United Nations will be asked to monitor both sides' arms, a joint statement issued in the capital, Kathmandu said.
Earlier this week, the rebels' deputy leader warned the talks could collapse over the future of the monarchy.
The rebels called a truce after King Gyanendra ended direct rule in April.
'Significant event'
The government has agreed that its troops will be confined to their barracks, while the rebels say their arms will be kept in one set of camps, the statement said.
It was issued after talks between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist leader Prachanda.
"It is a significant event in the peace process. We have been able to respond to the aspirations of people for peace and prosperity," the government's main negotiator, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said.
For the rebels, negotiator Krishna Mahara was equally positive: "The agreement has decreased the mistrust and opened door to move ahead with the peace process."
Analysts say the deal could pave the way for the Maoists to join an interim government before a constituent assembly decides the country's future.
The Maoists and a seven-party alliance clinched a landmark power-sharing deal in June.
It followed a sustained campaign of street protests in April that culminated in King Gyanendra surrendering his powers.
But in recent weeks talks have stalled over the issues of arms and whether Nepal should continue to have a monarchy.
The Maoists favour a communist republic, while Prime Minister Koirala has been advocating a ceremonial role for the monarchy.

PM’s statement valid till CA polls: Home Minister Sitaula

At a time the Prime Minister is facing criticism for his statement to provide some space for the King in the democracy, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula defended his statement saying it is valid till the election of the constituent assembly.
Speaking at a programme in the capital on Monday, Sitaula said “What Girijababu (Koirala) has said should be construed as holding good until the election to constituent assembly is held.”
“We all know that the NC has left it to the constituent assembly to decide the fate of monarchy. Hence, what Girijababu said should not be construed to mean that we are for something else,” Sitaula said.
Commenting on the statement of Maoist leader Dr. Baburam Bhattrai that the peace process may be stalled from such comments, Sitaula said that they are in regular contact with the Maoists and there were not major differences between them.
“It is misleading to say peace process has failed. In fact, we are very close to coming to an understanding over resumption of the efforts,” Sitaula added.
Earlier, Deputy PM Amik Sherchan came out openly against a section of people in the government for working on cross purposes on the issue of writing letter to the UN.
He also threatened to resign if there is no improvement.
The central committee meeting of the CPN-UML also concluded that the statement of Koirala is against the sprit of the Jana Andolan (People’s movement) II.
Talking to FNCCI delegates at his official residence Sunday evening, Prime Minister Koirala said that King should be given a space in democracy to prevent him from being frustrated, which he said could lead to desperation.