Nepal on Sunday formally adopted a much anticipated and long-delayed constitution that took more than seven years to complete following a decade of political infighting.
Security was stepped up across the nation, with smaller political parties and ethnic groups opposed to the new charter issuing fresh threats of violence.
President Ram Baran Yadav signed the constitution and made the proclamation announcement, setting off a roar of applause from members of the Constituent Assembly in Kathmandu.
"We believe that the adoption of the new constitution has now opened the path for development of the country," Yadav told the assembly.
The new constitution replaces an interim one that was supposed to be in effect for only a couple of years but has governed the nation since 2007.
Thousands of people who gathered outside the assembly hall cheered after the announcement was made, waving the national flag as fireworks went off.
- Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav displays the constitution, formally adopted following a decade of political infighting, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Yadav signed the constitution and made the proclamation announcement, setting off a roar of applause from members of the Constituent Assembly in Kathmandu. The new constitution replaces an interim one that was supposed to be in effect for only a couple of years but has governed the nation since 2007. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
