Jan 15 (Reuters) - Nepal's parliament passed a new constitution on Monday, paving the way for the formation of an assembly featuring Maoist rebels for the first time.

Here is a chronology of the key events in the past year:

April 24, 2006 - King Gyanendra announces he will reinstate Nepal's dissolved parliament, prompting political parties to call off mass protests.

April 27 - Maoists declare a ceasefire and political parties promise to work with them.

April 28 - Parliament reopens.

April 30 - Veteran politician Girija Prasad Koirala is sworn in as prime minister. Parliament approves a proposal to hold elections to a special assembly to draw up a constitution.

May 4 - Maoist rebels welcome ceasefire announced by the new government and agree to join talks.

May 18 - Parliament curtails powers of king drastically and takes away his control over the army and declares that Nepal is no longer a Hindu kingdom but a secular country.

June 16 - Koirala holds talks with Maoist rebel leader Prachanda and agrees to dissolve parliament and set up an interim administration to include the rebels. Maoists promise to dissolve their parallel government.

Aug 9 - Maoists and government agree arms will be confined to camps while government troops will be stationed in barracks.

Nov 20 - Government and Maoist rebels sign landmark peace accord marking end of the civil war.

Dec 16 - Nepal's seven ruling parties and Maoist former rebels approve draft of an interim constitution.

Jan 15 - Parliament adopts constitution, Maoists to take 83 seats in the 330-member interim legislature that will rule until constituent assembly elections expected in June.

Source: Reuters

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