Kathmandu:  Nepal today scripted a new chapter in its turbulent history as the new Constituent Assembly abolished the 240-year-old monarchy and declared the country a "secular, federal democratic republic". The 601-member assembly met at the Birendra International Convention Centre this evening where a motion was passed to declare the country the world s newest republic.

After a series of meetings, the Seven Party Alliance agreed to table the motion of republic in the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly, dominated by Maoists. Out of 601 members of the Constituent Assembly, 572 were present during today s meeting. The motion to declare the country a republic was moved by Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitola on behalf of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

The motion was passed by 560 votes in favour while four members opposed it. The motion said that Nepal will be secular, federal, democratic republic nation and the King, Gyanendra will be reduced to a common citizen. The King will lose all the cultural, administrative and political powers.

The king and the royal family members will enjoy the rights that are meant for any common man, the motion said. It said the May 28 will be celebrated as the Republic Day of the nation every year. There will be president who will be the head of the state while the Prime Minister will be the executive head.

Source : PTI