Koirala sworn in by king for fifth stint as PM

(30 Apr 2006)
1. Wide exterior of royal palace
2. Medium exterior of palace entrance
3. Wide of palace
4. Girija Prasad Koirala, new Prime Minister and leader of the Nepali Congress Party, seated
5. King Gyanendra entering room with dignitaries
6. Cutaway of media
7. Close-up of Gyanendra, pull out as he lines up with Koirala for swearing in
8. Various of Koirala being sworn in by Gyanendra
9. Cutaway of media
10. Koirala and Gyanendra take seats
STORYLINE:
Girija Prasad Koirala was sworn in as Nepal''s Prime Minister by King Gyanendra at the royal palace on Sunday in Kathmandu.
Koirala, leader of the Nepali Congress Party, is recognised as one of the most important figures in the recent push for a return to democracy in Nepal.
Parliament hadn''t met for four years, and Gyanendra had seized complete control of the government last February.
But nearly three weeks of a general strike and street protests earlier this month eventually persuaded the King to reinstate the legislature and return rule to the seven civilian political parties.
Parliament reconvened on Friday, but Koirala was too ill to attend.
The 84-year old leader has held the office of Prime Minister three times previously.
While his party holds the second highest amount of seats in the legislature next to the Communist Party (UML), Koirala has been described as a towering figure in Nepal''s democratic history, and a good candidate to promote unity between the parties.
Koirala indicated that he wants the parliament to quickly set up an election for a Constituent Assembly to rewrite the Constitution.
Koirala''s other priorities will be starting peace talks with the Maoists and enacting legislation to put the army under civilian government control.

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