Katmandu, Nepal, June 04, SPA --Nepal's new prime minister expanded his Cabinet today by appointing eight new ministersincluding a deputy prime minister, according to AP. Madhav Kumar Nepal chose Bijay Kumar Gachhedar as deputyprime minister and Sujata Koirala of the Nepali Congressparty as foreign minister. The prime minister had previously appointed only twoCabinet ministers. Nepal, who belongs to the Communist Party of Nepal (UnitedMarxist Leninist), was elected prime minister last monthwith the support of most parties in parliament. Gachhedar's and Koirala's parties were key groupssupporting Nepal's bid for the prime ministership. The new coalition government came to power after the lastgovernment led by former communist rebels, the CommunistParty of Nepal (Maoist), resigned following differenceswith the president over the sacking of the army chief. The Maoists want to integrate thousands of former rebelsinto the national army, which the army chief resisted. TheMaoist government then fired the army chief but thepresident canceled the government order and reinstated theofficial. The president's rejection prompted the Maoists to pull outof the government.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/671339