Civil unrest continues

Civil unrest continued in Nepal on 6 May 2009 as Maoist protesters clashed with police officers in Kathmandu. Authorities stated that approximately 1,000 Maoist protesters threw stones at anti-riot police officers, although there were no reports of injuries or arrests. The street protests in Kathmandu have continued despite an official ban on all political rallies. Nepal's major political parties have reportedly been negotiating to form a new coalition government after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's (Prachanda) resignation on 4 May. The Maoists have refused to take part in any new coalition after the president blocked Prachanda's attempt to fire Nepal's army chief. Representatives of other political parties are attempting to convince the Maoists to reverse their stance and join a new coalition government.