Nepal summons new Assembly to convene Jan 22

Nepalese police try to prevent physically disabled people from entering a prohibited area near the office of the prime minister during a protest in Katmandu, Nepal, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014. The protestors demanded the representation of the disabled in the Constituent Assembly. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Nepal’s government has summoned for next week the newly elected Constituent Assembly, a month behind schedule after the president and the head of government resolved their differences.

The assembly will attempt to write a new constitution and also function as the parliament.

The Himalayan country has stumbled through the last five years with no constitution and parliamentary paralysis in addressing chronic problems.

A notice to legislators issued by the head of the interim government, Khil Raj Regmi, said the assembly would convene Jan. 22.

Mr. Regmi and President Ram Baran Yadav could not previously agree on who should send the notice, but finally reached the deal late Saturday.