At least 51 people have been confirmed dead after the extensive popular protests this week, announces the police spokesperson Binod Ghimire.
In addition, more than 12,500 prison inmates who managed to escape in the chaos are still on the run.
On Friday, the country's president, army chief, and former chief prosecutor met to discuss the way forward. A representative of the so-called "Gen Z" demonstrators was also present.
The most important task was to find an interim leader since the protests had led to the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli.
Combative top jurist
And towards the evening, it was announced that the choice had fallen on the former top judge Sushila Karki.
We wish you and the country all success, said President Ram Chandra Paudel when 73-year-old Karki was sworn in at a televised ceremony.
She will now lead the country at least until March, when it has been decided that a new election will be held.
Karki served as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 2016-2017 and also broke new ground then as the first woman in the post. She made herself known in that role for her steadfastness in the work against corruption. Some members of parliament accused her of partiality and tried to get her dismissed, but were criticized for staging an attack on the judiciary.
Pent-up discontent
The recent violent expressions of discontent were triggered by the now-deposed government's plans to ban several social media platforms, but were fueled by pent-up anger against the country's political elite, corruption, and nepotism, as well as a faltering economy.
After the demonstrators were met with deadly police violence, several government buildings were set on fire by the enraged crowd. In the midst of it all, the government resigned and Prime Minister Sharma Oli fled the country.
After the protests culminated on Tuesday, a tense calm now prevails in the capital Katmandu. A curfew is in place and the military is patrolling the streets.
In connection with the chaotic protests, around 13,500 prisoners escaped from various institutions around the country.
