Opposition supporters in Lesotho have ended a vigil outside the king's palace almost three months after beginning it to protest against allegations of vote rigging in elections last May.

The official end of the protest was announced at a rally near a shrine at Thababosiusouth of the capital, Maseru.

It follows the agreement eleven days ago between the governing Congress for Democracy and opposition parties to take part in a joint body to organise new elections within eighteen months.

Troops from the South African Development Community intervened in Lesotho last month following an army mutiny and widespread protests by opposition groups.