Nepal Govt summons US Ambassador

Kathmandu, Apr 19: Nepal government has summoned the US Ambassador here, James F Moriarty, and issued him a demarche, following his remarks against King Gyanendra in an interview to CNN.

''Acting Foreign Secretary Hira Bahadur Thapa reminded the envoy about diplomatic norms while making comments on Nepal's King and other internal affairs,'' The Himalayan Times reported today.

An official at the American Centre confirmed that Mr Moriarty was summoned by the Ministry, the daily said.

In an interview, the envoy had said the US did not want to see King Gyanendra forced to flee clinging on the wings of a helicopter.

Meanwhile, huge anti-King demonstrations are taking place across the country for the first time in the history of Nepal.

More than 1,00,000 people participated in anti-King demonstrations in Butwal and Nepalgunj yesterday, according to the BBC.

The participants in the demonstrations, organised by the seven parties alliance (SAP), raised anti-King slogans and warned the leaders not to make any compromise with the King.

There is intense pressure on the King in the recent days to hold dialogue with the major political parties and restore democracy in Nepal.

The parties have said revival of the dissolved House and election to the constituent assembly are their main demands.

Meanwhile, special envoy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Dr Karan Singh, is scheduled to visit Nepal from today to discuss the fast deteriorating situation there.

UNI