Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi sworn in as Nepal PM

Kathmandu, March 14: Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi was on Thursday sworn-in as Nepal's new Prime Minister to head an interim government that will hold elections by June 21, ending months of political and constitutional crisis in the country.

Regmi, 63, was sworn in as the head of interim election government as a part of the eleven-point deal reached among major parties, UCPN-Maoist, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and Joint Madhesi Front, yesterday during a marathon meeting.

The parties also agreed to conduct polls before June 21 and to defer the date till November in case an unfavourable situation emerges.

President Ram Baran Yadav earlier today administered oath of office and secrecy to Regmi at Sheetal Niwas in the presence of top leaders of the major political parties.

Regmi also inducted two former bureaucrats into the cabinet today.

Madhav Ghimire has been appointed Minister for Home and Foreign Affairs whereas Hari Prasad Neupane was sworn in as Minister for Law and Justice and Labour.

Regmi today attended his office at Singhdurbar Secretariat.

The first cabinet meeting of the government chaired by Regmi assured to conduct free and fair election within the stipulated time frame.

Regmi thanked the political parties for bestowing the cabinet the responsibility to hold elections in the transitional phase.

The cabinet called on the agitating political parties to get engaged in conducting Constituent Assembly elections, saying that it is the only way to end the political deadlock faced by the country.

The cabinet also requested the civil society, media, press and others to create a conducive environment for the polls.

This will be for the first time in Nepalese political history that a sitting Chief Justice has been named as the Head of the Government.

The appointment of Regmi ends an impasse since the last parliament's term expired almost a year ago.

Elections set for November, 2012, were cancelled because of the political infighting

"This has been a complex and challenging process and the UScommends the parties for their willingness to make the compromises necessary to achieve this important political milestone," a statement issued by theUSembassy in Kathmandu said.

The formation of the Interim Council of Ministers for elections lays a foundation for vital further action, including completing and adopting Nepal's new constitution and holding free, fair, and inclusive national elections in June that reflect the will of the Nepali people, it said.

As in the past, the US stands ready to assist Nepal as these national elections approach, the statement said.