Nepal PM vows reforms as new govt takes shape

Nepal's newly appointed interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki delivered her first public address on Sunday, vowing to fight corruption, honour those killed in the recent uprising as "martyrs", and not cling to political power, as her new government began to take shape.

- Prawesh Lama

The 73-year-old former chief justice chaired key meetings at the government complex of Singha Durbar, where several buildings were set ablaze during the recent mass protest. "We have to work according to the vision of the young generation. What's needed now is an end to corruption and [a guarantee] of good governance," she said.

The Karki-led interim government began to come together as officials in the president's office said that they have received three names for cabinet ministers' posts.

"Senior advocate Om Prakash Aryal, who is also a legal advisor to Kathmandu Metropolitan City is set to be Nepal's new home minister. Former finance secretary Rajeshwar Khanal will be the finance minister while Kulman Ghising, former CEO of Nepal Electricity Authority, will be assigned three ministries - water resources, urban planning, and physical infrastructure," an official in president's office said on condition of anonymity.

The neighbouring country was plunged into chaos last week after security forces tried to crush rallies by young protesters. At least 72 people were killed in Nepal in the worst violence since the end of a civil war and the abolition of the monarchy in 2008. Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli quit on Tuesday as houses of top politicians were ransacked and Parliament was set ablaze. Karki took oath on Friday as the Himalayan nation's interim prime minister to lead a six-month transition to elections.