2ND LD: Nepal gov't, rebels ink historic peace accord

KATHMANDU, Nov. 21 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH SIGNING OF ACCORD)

The Nepalese government and Maoist rebels signed a comprehensive peace agreement on Tuesday, aimed at ending a decade-long insurgency.

''This accord has ended Nepal's decade-long conflict,'' Home Affairs Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said after the signing ceremony, which was participated in by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and rebel chief Prachanda.

In the accord, the rebels officially declared an end to their insurgency that began in 1996 and has since left more than 13,000 dead.

The Maoist rebels are teaming up with Nepal's seven-party government to elect people's assembly before mid-June next year. The assembly is tasked to write the new constitution.

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