Nepal army sacking 'was mistaken'

By Rabindra Mishra
BBC Nepali service editor, Kathmandu

Mr Nepal says that he wants to unify the country

Nepal's new Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal says his predecessor's move to sack the army chief was a mistake.

Mr Nepal was speaking to the BBC in his first interview since taking office.

The general was sacked by the previous government but the move was blocked by the president, prompting Maoist leader Prachanda to resign as prime minister.

Mr Nepal has the support of 22 of the 24 parties in parliament. The Maoists remain the largest party, with 40% of seats following last year's elections.

'No confusion'

Prime Minister Nepal said he would take a formal decision regarding the sacked army chief as soon as his cabinet was finalised.

Because of the behaviour of the Maoists all other parties had to take a stand against the Maoists Nepal PM Madhav Kumar Nepal Excerpts: Nepal PM interview

But he insisted that Rookmangud Katawal was still the army chief.

"The chief of the army is Rookmangud Katawal. There should be no confusion on this issue. This is very clear," Mr Nepal told the BBC.

Asked if he would accept or overturn the decision of the previous government regarding the sacking, the prime minister said: "We will correct the mistake."

On Wednesday, the 22 parties which support the new prime minister in parliament, gave him the authority to reverse the previous government's decision.

But Mr Nepal is unlikely to rush as he does not want to further alienate the Maoists.

The Maoists allege that foreign powers, especially India, played a role in the downfall of their government and the formation of the new coalition.

However, Prime Minister Nepal denied the allegation.

"I have not seen any kind of intervention. Because of the behaviour of the Maoists all other parties had to take a stand against the Maoists. That shows how unpopular the Maoists have become."

Madhav Kumar Nepal said his government's main priorities were to write a new constitution and complete Nepal's fragile peace process.

He urged the Maoists to join his administration in order to achieve those objectives.

But the Maoists have rejected his call, insisting that both the peace and constitutional processes have been derailed.