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Thousands of Maoist supporters protest in Nepal's capital against the president

Thousands of Maoist supporters rallied in Nepal's capital Friday, continuing their street protests against the president, whose refusal to dismiss the army chief led to the collapse of the previous Maoist-led government. About 15,000 people merged for a mass rally in the heart of Kathmandu, waving red flags and demanding "restoration of civilian supremacy." The former communist rebels call the decision to reinstate the army chief fired by the previous Maoist-led government as the fall of civilian power and the rise of military power. However, President Ram Baran Yadav, who officially commands Nepal's military, said at the time the ouster of the army chief by the Maoist government was unconstitutional. The army chief, Rookmangud Katawal, who retired early this week, opposed the integration of thousands of former Maoist fighters into the national army, which had been part of the peace deal with the rebels. The fighters are still in United Nations-monitored camps. It is unclear what the new army chief will do. Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigned as prime minister over the president's refusal to dismiss the army chief, and a new coalition government took over in May. "Until the civilian supremacy is restored, people will not be able to get their rights and democracy will not survive," Dahal told the crowd Friday. "The army should be under the control of the government elected by the people." The Maoist rebels laid down their arms three years ago to join a peace process and ultimately the political mainstream. They contested elections last year and emerged as the largest political party. http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iddo2HuFxc2KxTBCVFJu4Ym4J8Sg

Thousands of supporters of Nepal's former Maoist rebels have held a rally in the capital Kathmandu against President Ram Baran Yadav.

The president's refusal to dismiss the country's army chief led to the collapse of the previous Maoist-led government in May this year. The Maoists accuse the president of undermining the authority of the civilian government. They say he wrongfully overruled the decision of the cabinet. Speaking at the rally, the Maoist leader and former Prime Minister, Prachanda, threatened to launch a popular movement unless the Maoists were allowed to form a national government again. The BBC's Joanna Jolly in Kathmandu says that many will see the rally as a calculated show of strength by the Maoists. Prachanda said his party was still committed to Nepal's peace process but that his supporters were prepared to fight if the current government did not allow the Maoists back into power. Our correspondent says that the Maoists want the issue of presidential power to be debated in parliament. But Nepal's current coalition government has refused to do this. The Maoists have said that as well as disrupting the workings of parliament they will continue to hold street rallies and protests until this demand is met. However in his speech Prachanda also said he was willing to give the government another chance to resolve the situation and find a way to let the Maoists work in coalition with Nepal's other political parties. Quotted from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8251287.stm