London:  Britain sent its congratulations to Nepal today on the first session of its constituent assembly after it was declared a republic.

Members of the Maoist-dominated assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of abolishing the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy and establishing a secular republic late yesterday.

"The UK warmly congratulates the people of Nepal on the successful conduct of the first session of the constituent assembly," said Foreign Office Minister Lord Mark Malloch-Brown in a statement.

"This is another step towards the democratic and stable future that the people of Nepal justly deserve."

He said he hoped the constitution which the assembly will draft would reflect "the needs of the people".

"I urge all parties to respect the mandate given to them following elections in April and to continue working in the spirit of their previous agreements during this important period," he added.

Nepal's Maoists, who won last month s assembly elections, have waged ten years of war to overthrow what they view as the country's caste-ridden structure.

Source : PTI