Nepal: Former communist rebels hand over control of forces

NEPAL'S former communist rebels have handed command of their forces to the government. The move is part of a peace deal that brings to an end a decade-long conflict in the Himalayan nation.

By The Newsroom

Published 22nd Jan 2011, 10:47 BST

Updated 22nd Jan 2011, 20:15 BST

Prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal reached an agreement this month with the Communist Party of Nepal, known as the Maoists. It calls for a committee to monitor the 19,000-strong rebel force, which had been supervised by a United Nations peace mission that recently ended.

Kumar Nepal yesterday hoisted the national flag in place of the rebel banner at Shaktikhor camp for former guerrillas in Chitwan.