Nepal's new prime minister yesterday urged leftist rebels to sit down for peace talks, as he began the challenge of keeping his political alliance together and steering his country towards peace and development.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, 84, opened the session of Parliament with a brief speech, calling on the insurgents to join the country's mainstream.

"I urge the leftists today to give up violence and come forward for peace talks," said the ailing Koirala, who was greeted by legislators with a standing ovation. He spoke for only a few minutes and remained seated during his speech, a break from tradition.

A few hours earlier, King Gyanendra swore in Koirala at the Royal Palace in central Katmandu, the first time the two had come face-to-face since weeks of bloody protests led in part by Koirala forced the monarch to reinstate Parliament.

The king patted Koirala on his arm before issuing the oath of office in a palace hall with two stuffed tigers reared up on hind legs in the background. The guests included top military officials and the Supreme Court's chief justice. But the royal Privy Council the king's top advisers did not attend.

A lung ailment had repeatedly delayed the swearing-in of Koirala, who was accompanied to the palace by his doctor.

A one-time labour organizer who is among the country's most senior politicians, Koirala was chosen prime minister because he was the most acceptable candidate among the leading seven-party alliance, political leaders have said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of those discussions.

Koirala was expected today to name ministers in his government including representatives from all the seven main political parties.

Other speakers in parliament backed Koirala's call to reach out to the leftists.

"It is time that everyone should give up violence and all forms of terror," said Madhav Kumar Nepal, general-secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal, one of the seven parties.

Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday sent a congratulatory message to Koirala.

In the message, Wen said he believes that the Koirala-led government will surely make new achievements in the cause of peace, harmony, stability and development in Nepal.

The Chinese premier said that China and Nepal are traditional friendly neighbours and that the governments and peoples of the two countries have shown mutual understanding, respect and solidarity ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The relationship between China and Nepal can be regarded as an example for countries with different social systems to develop relations, Wen said.

"The Chinese Government always attaches great importance to developing the comprehensive, friendly and co-operative relations with Nepal," Wen said.

He said that he is willing to work together with Koirala to push forward the friendly and good-neighbourly partnership between the two countries.

Source: China Daily