Nepal Maoists pull out of government

KATHMANDU, Nepal (CNN) -- Nepal's Maoists pulled out of the country's coalition government Tuesday after their demands to abolish the monarchy and declare the nation a republic went unheeded.

The Maoists, also known as the Communist Party of Nepal, had four ministers in the cabinet, and their resignation from government has put a question mark on Nepal's ongoing peace process and upcoming elections.

"We are convinced that the elections cannot happen as long as the monarchy exists," said Maoist leader Barsa Man Pun.

The former Maoist rebels said they will start a peaceful people's revolt, but will make their program public through a mass meeting on Tuesday.

In June, Nepal's government set November 22 as the date for legislative elections, a move that marked a key milestone in the ongoing peace process between the governing coalition and the rebels.

The vote will decide the makeup of Nepal's 497-member constituent assembly, which will decide the fate of Nepal's monarchy and prepare a new constitution.

The 239-year-old monarchy has been virtually suspended since King Gyanendra was forced to give up powers in April 2006 following a popular uprising across the country against his direct rule.

Maoist rebels, who had been fighting to replace the monarchy with a republic, signed a peace deal with the subsequently formed democratic government last November to hold elections for a constituent assembly.

The former rebels joined parliament in January and the interim government in April this year after a decade-long conflict in which about 13,000 people were killed.

The United Nations is monitoring Maoist fighters as they lock away their weapons and keep 30,000 combatants in barracks across the country. E-mail to a friend

All About Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) • Kathmandu • Nepal