Nepal's new Maoist prime minister on Sunday swore in 13 ministers, including seven from outside his party, as he tried to form a stable coalition government after years of political crisis. The Maoists, who fought the central government in a bloody civil war from 1996 to 2006, now rule Nepal with an alliance of regional parties from the southern plains.
Since the end of the civil war and 2008 elections, reforms including a new constitution and disarmament of Maoist former rebel fighters have been held up by a deadlock between rival parties. Baburam Bhattarai was elected prime minister a week ago after his predecessor, who took the role in February after 17 parliamentary votes lasting seven months, stood down.
The Maoists, the largest party in parliament but without enough seats to rule alone, also ran the first post-war government until being forced out due to a clash with the president in 2009.
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