Nepal's ex-communists should head the new government, political opponents said Wednesday, a day after the Maoists abandoned plans for leadership because their choice for president had been rejected.

The newly elected president, meanwhile, took the oath of office, also on Wednesday.

Nepal's political parties met Wednesday to try to resolve the political stalemate, but no agreement had been reached, said Arjun Narsingh of the Nepali Congress, which received the second-largest number of votes in April elections.

"We still believe and want the Maoists to form and lead the new government. That was our earlier decision and we stick by it," Narsingh said. "We will not be an obstacle for them in this matter."

Iswor Pokhrel of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) also said Wednesday the new government should include the former guerrillas.

The Maoists secured the most votes in the April election for a Constituent Assembly, but did not win a majority of seats. Since that poll, Nepal's main political parties have been unable to agree on how to form a coalition government.

Maoist-backed independent Ramraja Singh lost Monday's presidential vote to Ram Baran Yadav, who was backed by the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) and the Madhesi People's Rights Forum _ the second, third and fourth largest parties, respectively.

Maoist leader Prachanda said Tuesday his party _ formally known as the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) _ would act as the opposition after Singh lost the vote.

"After our candidate was defeated in the presidential election, we have lost the moral grounds to lead the new government," Prachanda said.

Yadav was sworn in on Wednesday at the presidential house in Katmandu in the presence of high-level officials. The oath was administered by Chief Justice Kedar Giri.

Yadav is the first president to take office in the Himalayan nation since its centuries-old monarchy was abolished in May by the Constituent Assembly. The new president pledged to work for the people and the nation and urged unity. He was later congratulated by heads of foreign missions and offered flower garlands and bouquets after the ceremony.

Yadav, 60, has served twice as health minister and has been elected twice to parliament. He was a physician prior to joining politics full-time and has held senior-level positions in the Nepali Congress, the party led by outgoing Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

He is also from the Madheshi ethnic community in southern Nepal, which has been campaigning for greater rights and more say in the administration. Continued...