KATHMANDU:  Nepal`s parliament is set to meet Friday for another attempt at electing a prime minister to fill a three-week political void in the country.

After several missed deadlines and an inconclusive session on Wednesday, lawmakers will try to decide on either Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal or centrist Nepali Congress chief Ram Chandra Poudel.

The Maoists, who fought a 10-year battle against the state before entering politics and winning elections in 2008, say that as the largest single party in parliament they should lead the government.

They have put forward Dahal, better known by his nom de guerre Prachanda or "the fierce one." He served as prime minister after the 2008 vote but quit in May 2009 over a row with army.

On Wednesday, lawmakers were unable to agree on a new prime minister.

Nepal`s parliament, or Constituent Assembly, was elected in 2008 with a two-year mandate to complete the country`s post-war peace process and draft a new national constitution.

But it has failed to complete either task, hampered by fierce disagreements between the Maoists and their rivals.
Political commentators have warned further delays in forming a new administration could lead to fresh chaos.

The United States voiced hope Thursday that the country would quickly form a government to get to work on pressing concerns including the drafting of the new constitution.

"We urge Nepal`s political leaders to reach agreement on a government that will move forward quickly on the issues that are essential for Nepal`s stability and economic development," US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said in Washington.

BDST: 1303 HRS, July 23, 2010