Maoist leader Prachanda set to become Nepal's next PM (AFP)

by Subel Bhandari 6 minutes ago KATHMANDU (AFP) - Lawmakers in Nepal were expected Friday to elect Maoist leader Prachanda as the Himalayan country's new prime minister, ending months of deadlock following the abolition of the monarchy. The ex-rebels, who fought for a decade to oust the king and overturn what they see as a feudal structure, say they have enough support in a new assembly to be handed the reins of government and push through sweeping reforms. "Months of political deadlock have finally come to an end," Prachanda told reporters after filing his candidacy papers to stand in Friday's assembly vote. "Nepal is seeing a golden dawn today. We have already finished destroying the roots of feudalism in Nepal, the 240-year-old monarchy institution," Maoist number two Baburam Bhattarai also told lawmakers. "Under the... [read full story]