The Nepalese parliament will reconvene today for the first time in four years to discuss plans to form a new constituent assembly.

King Gyanendra reinstated the assembly on Monday in an attempt to end weeks of protest during which 14 people had lost their lives.

However, the swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has been delayed because he is suffering from bronchitis.

"It is not possible for him to go to the parliament today," Nepali Congress party spokesman Krishna Prasad Sitaula said. "Doctors say he has greatly recovered but the oath ceremony has been postponed."

Politicians said they would hold a short, delayed session today with only one item on the agenda.

"There is only one thing on the agenda, a constituent assembly. It’s going to be a very short session," Lilamani Pokheral, the leader of the National People’s Front said.

The King dissolved parliament in May 2002 after it failed to renew a state of emergency imposed to fight the rebels.

Maoist rebel forces, who have fought a decade-long insurgency, announced a three-month ceasefire on Thursday to give the political parties a chance to bring calm to the troubled Himalayan kingdom.

The Maoist leader Prachanda said in a statement that the group would refrain from "offensive military action" for three-months, but remain in an "active defensive position".

He said he hoped the ceasefire would encourage the formation of a new constituent assembly given the job of rewriting the constitution.

The parliament was dissolved four years ago and King Gyanendra seized absolute power for himself in February 2005, blaming the failure of the Government to quell the Maoist revolt.

But on Monday he agreed in a televised address to reinstate parliament, buckling after 19 days of protests on the streets of the capital and around the nation.

A "people’s victory" was declared in the struggle against the King and the streets of Kathmandu began to return to normal.

A series of political leaders gave speeches to a joyous reception from the masses waving party flags and signs warning politicians they were being closely observed.

"Do not repeat the past. Take the oath from the sovereign Nepalese, not the killer Gyanendra," said one banner.

Student organisations affiliated to the Maoists held a small and peaceful rally in the centre of the capital to coincide with parliament’s opening today.

However, according to analysts, the months of potential instability have left the King’s future role in Nepal unclear.

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