KATMANDU, Nepal, May 23, SPA -- A communist party leader was the only candidate Saturday as Nepal's parliament prepared toselect a new prime minister and end weeks of politicalturmoil, the parliament spokesman said. Madhav Kumar Nepal of the Communist Party of Nepal (UnitedMarxist Leninist) was the only person to file nominationpapers and would be elected unopposed, spokesman MukundaSharma was quoted as saying by Associated Press. The selection of a new prime minister who will form a newcoalition government is intended to end the turmoilprompted by the May 4 resignation of Prime Minister PushpaKamal Dahal, a former Maoist rebel chief, following adispute with Nepal's president. Dahal's party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), thenbegan blocking parliamentary proceedings, but ended itsprotest several days ago, allowing the speaker to setSaturday's election. Maoist lawmaker Posta Bahadur Bogatisaid they would not participate in the election. Madhav Kumar Nepal, 56, has the backing of 22 politicalparties and 350 members in the 601-seat parliament, morethan the simple majority required to be elected. Sharma said since Madhav Kumar Nepal was the only candidate there would be no actual vote and the speaker would announce hiselection during the parliament session. Both Dahal's and Madhav Kumar Nepal's parties arecommunist but differ in policies and beliefs.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/667208