WORLD : Nepal King OKs Government
King Birendra today agreed to let an opposition alliance form an interim government, a top opposition leader said, ending five days of uncertainty after the legalization of political parties.
Ganesh Man Singh, leader of the centrist Nepali Congress Party, said the new interim government will be formed by the end of next week. He said the king made the decision during a 65-minute meeting at the royal palace in Katmandu.
The Nepali Congress Party and its ally, a left-wing coalition called the United Left Front, had said they would not join the interim government unless the king or their own nominee heads it.
Singh told reporters after the meeting that it is possible that the 44-year-old king would head the government. He did not elaborate.
But political observers have said it is unlikely the Harvard-educated monarch will accept the post.
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