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Nepal's parliament opened on Friday for the first time in four years, but the country's 84-year-old prime minister-designate was too ill to attend the opening or his swearing-in ceremony.

The House began with two minutes of silence for the victims of this month's anti-monarchy and pro-democracy street protests, in which at least 13 people died and thousands were wounded.

In a written statement to parliament, the absent premier-in-waiting, Girija Prasad Koirala, promised to call elections to a special assembly to draw up a new constitution, hold talks with Maoist rebels and declare a ceasefire.

The acting speaker said a debate would be held on Sunday on Koirala's proposals.

Outside, thousands of Nepalis surrounded the gates of parliament, waving party flags and chanting slogans to keep up pressure for a new constitution and a curb on the king's powers.

Others attended the first public rally in Kathmandu in three years to be addressed by a senior leader of the ultra-leftist rebel movement, which declared a unilateral three-month ceasefire on Thursday.

Monks in maroon robes and women in traditional tribal dress were among thousands gathered outside the gates of parliament.

"Protests continue until the announcement of an unconditional constituent assembly," read one. "Abolish the Royal Nepalese Army and set up a Nepalese Army," read another.

Life has largely returned to normal in Nepal since the country's mainstream political parties called off their campaign.

That followed King Gyanendra's announcement on Monday evening that he was reviving parliament and surrendering power to the parties who led the protests.

But Koirala's ill health threatens to get his fifth term as prime minister off to an inauspicious start.

On Thursday, he was also too ill to attend a large rally in the Kathmandu to celebrate victory for the pro-democracy movement, sparking anger among many in the crowd.

Koirala's daughter, Sujata, said her father had bronchitis and was on antibiotics. He had been also been given oxygen and a saline drip on Thursday, but his health was gradually improving.

"He is an old man, he is taking rest," she said outside his room on Friday morning. "The only problem is that it was too hectic a schedule and he is tired."

In related news, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is encouraged by the positive development in Nepal, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said late on Thursday.

In a statement released by his spokesman, Annan said he is heartened by the recent positive developments in Nepal.

"He considers the royal proclamation of April 24 reinstating Parliament as a positive step that opens the door for a political process to end the decade-old conflict and address its underlying causes on the basis of wishes of the Nepali people," Dujarric said.

The spokesman noted that the secretary-general also welcomes the three-month cease-fire in Nepal as a step that will further ease the suffering of ordinary Nepalese and foster confidence between the soon-to-be-formed Government and the rebels.

(China Daily April 29, 2006)