Nepal's communist rebels have joined an interim government as part of a peace deal ending their decade-long insurgency.
Six Maoists took an oath of office yesterday in a ceremony broadcast on national television.
"This is the beginning of a new chapter in Nepal's history," said Girija Prasad Koirala, who was re-elected as Prime Minister for a sixth time earlier yesterday. "I urge all to leave behind minor differences and move forward together to get to our goals. The government will be fully devoted to establishing peace and security in the country."
Former insurgents will head the ministries of information and communication and local development. The government and rebels signed a peace agreement in November, halting an insurgency that has killed more than 13,000 people.
Since then, the rebels have locked up their weapons, confined their fighters in UN-monitored camps and participated in parliament.
The interim government is to hold elections later this year for a special assembly that will rewrite the constitution and decide whether Nepal will continue to have a king.