Nepal's former communist rebels are criticizing the United States for keeping them on its terrorist list, despite their landmark agreement last November to lay down arms and join the government.
Former officials of the Maoist insurgent movement said Friday that, although Washington has welcomed Nepal's interim constitution and parliament, the U.S. will not support ministries led by former rebels.
Former Maoist rebels hold 83 seats in the 330-member interim parliament. Elections and a new, permanent constitution are planned for June.
Nepal has only recently emerged from a decade of civil war with Maoist insurgents. The war killed 13,000 people.
In another development Friday, officials imposed curfews in five towns in southeastern Nepal, on the Terai plains, to try to stop violent protests.
Clashes with police have killed five people over the past week. Protesters say the government neglects their region.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
