Nepal PM makes key appointment

The new government hopes to talk to the rebels

By Sushil Sharma in Kathmandu

The new Prime Minister of Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, has appointed a close ally to the key post of home minister.

Rebel attacks on the police have increased

Influential MP Khum Bahadur Khadka will be responsible for conducting peace talks with Maoist rebels, should they take place.

Mr Khadka played a crucial role in Mr Deuba's election to the post of premier.

He was sworn in on Thursday along with the prime minister and the rest of the government - four days after Mr Deuba was chosen as prime minister.

Mr Deuba replaced Girija Prasad Koirala, who stepped down after months of pressure from the opposition and dissident members of own party over allegations of corruption and inefficiency.

Ceasefire

The Deuba-Khadka team has an opportunity to tackle the country's most serious problem, which began during their first spell in office.

Sher Bahadur Deuba: Took over four days ago

Mr Khadka was home minister in a coalition led by Mr Deuba when the Maoist insurgency began nearly six years ago.

The prospects for dialogue have increased after both the government and the rebels recently agreed to cease hostilities for an indefinite period - the first such ceasefire since the Maoist insurgency began.

Mr Deuba has kept nine out of the 13 portfolios in the new government for himself - including palace affairs, foreign affairs and defence.

And the only new face in the cabinet is PL Singh, who has been given the population and environment ministry.

The predominance of old faces in the government is seen as necessary for Mr Deuba to ensure the government's stability.

Mr Deuba had earlier said that he would form a balanced cabinet.

In-fighting

But most of the newly-appointed ministers are known to represent only one part of the faction-ridden ruling Nepali Congress party.

This has fuelled speculation that the cabinet may be enlarged in the near future.

The delay in announcing the government was caused by in-fighting for ministerial positions.

Internal differences have frequently forced the Nepali Congress Party to implement changes in its leadership.

Mr Deuba is the third prime minister since the party won a comfortable majority in the general elections a little over two years ago.