Maoists say will boycott new Nepal government

Maoist leader Prachanda resigned as prime minister on Monday after his attempt to fire the Himalayan nation's top general, a longtime rival, was vetoed by the president, who is a member of the main opposition party.

"The president made an unconstitutional move challenging the civilian authority. It was unfortunate that the president blocked the decision of elected government," Prachanda told reporters.

"Before talking about the formation of a new government, the unconstitutional move by the president should be corrected. Only then will we help in the process of forming a new government," he said.

The Maoists tried to sack General Rookmangud Katawal for refusing to integrate thousands of their former fighters, currently confined to UN-supervised camps, into the regular army.