Nepalese Parties Reach Agreement on New Government

Nepalese political parties have reached an agreement on forming a new government, after weeks of deadlock.

Leaders of the seven parties in the interim government agreed Wednesday that the new constituent assembly will vote on the country's leadership, including Nepal's first president.

Nepal has been in political limbo since May, when lawmakers voted to abolish the centuries-old monarchy and establish the country as a republic.

King Gyanendra has since left the royal palace. Nepal's Maoists, meanwhile, have pressured Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to step down.

Former communist rebels won the most seats in April's election of a new constituent assembly, but must form a coalition government with other parties.

Separately, the United Nations World Food Program Wednesday said roughly 2.5 million Nepalis are in need of immediate food aid, and many more are at risk of becoming food insecure due to rising prices.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.