Nepal govt, Maoists sign peace deal NDTV Correspondent Tuesday, November 7, 2006 (Kathmandu): Nepal government and the Maoists have signed a historic deal to end the 10-year armed insurgency and bring the rebels to mainstream politics. After a marathon 16-hour meeting between top leaders of the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) and the rebels, the two sides decided to constitute a 330-member Interim Parliament. They will also form an interim government inclusive of the Maoists and hold elections for the new Assembly in May 2007. However, the government and the Maoists have also agreed not to abolish the country's monarchy until the new Assembly is elected. Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoist Chief Prachanda, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Nepali Congress (Democratic) President Sher Bahadur Deuba took part in the crucial meeting, among others. The two sides also decided to lock up the Maoist arms and confine their combatants in cantonments by November 21. The rebels are to lay down arms under UN supervision, ahead of national elections. (With PTI inputs)