Maoists to join Nepal government
The Nepalese government is to dissolve parliament and set up an interim government that will include the country's Maoist rebels.
The move was announced in the capital, Kathmandu, after landmark talks between rebel leader Prachanda and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Prachanda said he wanted the new government set up within one month.
Friday's talks in Kathmandu were the first formal meeting between the government and the rebels.
Their joint statement formalised in writing an understanding reached at the height of widespread protests against the rule of King Gyanendra in April.
The talks are the latest step in moves to end Nepal's decade-long insurgency.
No time frame
The BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu says that in agreeing to dissolve parliament, the multi-party government has made far reaching concessions to the rebels.
The two sides issued a statement after the talks outlining the moves.
It says that the Maoists - who control most of Nepal's rural areas - have also agreed to dismantle their "people's government" once the interim government is in place.
There was no timeframe in the statement.
However, Prachanda told journalists that he wanted the interim government set up within a month. He also said he hoped that elections to a constituent assembly to be held by April 2007 at the latest.
"This is a historic decision and will move the country in a new direction," he told reporters.
The agreement also paves the way for the United Nations to become involved in inspecting the Maoist fighters and the army.
"To conduct the elections to a constituent assembly without any fear, both sides agreed to request the United Nations to help manage both sides' weapons and monitor them," the joint statement said.
There was no mention of the rebels giving up their arms.
The Maoists took up arms 10 years ago, but are currently observing a truce.
It is time the West helps to establish democracy with the king as a figurehead
Sherpa Dinesh
Kathmandu, Nepal
This is Prachanda's first known visit to Kathmandu in decades and has been taking place amid tight security.
He was flown in from central Nepal by helicopter and was driven to the prime minister's residence where the talks took place.
Our correspondent says the rebel leader has been underground for 25 years and his arrival prompted feverish excitement and a host of rumours.
Progress
Nepal's peace process gathered pace after King Gyanendra agreed in April to abandon direct rule following weeks of street protests and strikes.
STEPS TO PEACE
Nepalese Maoists
6 April: Mass anti-king protests break out
24 April: King reinstates parliament, gives up direct rule
30 April: Parliament votes to hold constituent assembly polls
26 May: Preliminary peace talks begin with Maoists
2 June: First Maoist rally in capital in three years
16 June: Top Maoist leader Prachanda meets prime minister
The political landscape has been shaken up since the king restored representative rule.
Opposition parties - who had been speaking to Prachanda while out of power - have since joined the government.
The new government has released rebels from jail, dropped terrorism charges against them and agreed to the ceasefire.
But differences remain between the two sides over the future of the monarchy.
The rebels hope elections will clear way towards abolishing the monarchy, but the prime minister has ruled that out.
Nepal's 10-year Maoist insurgency has left around 13,000 people dead.