KATHMANDU: Nepal's new prime minister on Friday urged political parties to put aside their differences for the sake of the country, in his first national address since he took office two weeks ago.
Jhalanath Khanal, whose election as prime minister ended a seven-month leadership vacuum, said there was "no alternative" to consensus if the country was to make progress after years of instability and a long civil war.
"We are commited to completing the peace process and drafting a new constitution, but achieving those tasks will not be as easy as running a regular government," he said in a speech broadcast live on national television.
"So I now urge the political parties and the whole nation to show patience... there is no alternative to consensus if we are to fulfil our responsibilities."
Nepal is still struggling to recover from the impact of a decade-long conflict between Maoist rebels and the state that ended in 2006 and led to the abolition of the country's 240-year-old monarchy.
Attempts to draft a new national constitution and complete a peace process that involves integrating 19,000 former Maoist soldiers into the state security forces have foundered amid fierce disagreements between political leaders.
The Maoists, who hold the highest number of seats in parliament after winning 2008 elections, backed Khanal to be prime minister, but are now threatening not to join his government in a row over ministerial portfolios.
In his address, the 60-year-old leader said cooperation with the Maoists was vital and also invited the centrist Nepali Congress party to join his government.
"We must be firmly united if we are to pass a new constitution," he added ahead of a May 28 deadline for parliament to approve the new charter, which has not yet been drafted.
"If we fail to fulfil our responsibilities at this crucial time, the country will pay a high price in the future."
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