KATHMANDU, March 30: Nepal's main political parties and Maoists struck a deal on Friday that brings the former rebels into government for the first time, officials said. In a move that gives a major boost to the Himalayan nation's peace process, the Maoists are to take over five portfolios in an interim cabinet tasked with steering the country into new elections this year.

Veteran Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, the leader of the Nepali Congress Party and the architect of the peace process, will also retain his position as leader of the government, officials said. The cabinet will be formally approved by Nepal's parliament -- which also includes Maoist members -- on Saturday, senior Congress Party official Ram Chandra Poudel told reporters.—AFP