Nepal's former Supreme Court chief justice Sushila Karki has become the country's interim prime minister after deadly anti-corruption protests ousted the government.
Karki, 73, was sworn in during a brief ceremony, becoming the first woman to lead the impoverished Himalayan nation after a deal was reached with the protest leaders.
More than 50 people were killed in clashes with riot police during this week's mass protests sparked by a ban on social media platforms. The ban was lifted on Monday - but by then protests had swelled into a mass movement. Angry crowds set fire to parliament and government buildings in the capital Kathmandu on Tuesday, forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.
Earlier on Friday, President Ram Chandra Poudel's press adviser confirmed to the BBC that Karki would take the oath of office in the evening. The agreement between the president and the protest leaders was reached after days of consultations, involving legal experts.
Parliament is expected to be dissolved shortly, and the new government is tasked with conducting general elections within six months. Karki is widely regarded as a person of clean image, supported by student leaders from the so-called Gen Z to lead the interim government.
On Tuesday, she visited the protest site in Kathmandu where 19 people were killed in clashes with police the day before. Karki has a background connected with the political dynasty of the Nepali Congress party and has faced controversies, including an impeachment incident during her tenure as chief justice.
The army has been deployed in the streets of Kathmandu as the country experiences its worst unrest in decades. The protests began over a government's ban on 26 social media platforms, further discontent with the political elite being highlighted during the unrest.
