Nepal drafts constitution to include Maoists in govt

The draft was supposed to be submitted to the multi-party government and rebels on Wednesday, the head of the 15-member panel said.

"It is only a draft and both sides can debate it and make necessary changes," Laxman Prasad Aryal, a retired Supreme Court judge, told Reuters.

The interim government will supervise elections to a special assembly meant to draw up a permanent constitution and decide the future of the monarchy.

Nepal's mainstream political parties agreed a ceasefire with Maoist rebels in May, shortly after mass protests forced King Gyanendra to surrender power. In June, the two sides agreed to set an interim government, guided by an interim constitution.

"This is a temporary document that will be in force until a new constitution is prepared by the constituent assembly when it is elected," Aryal said."