Nepal appoints new army chief

The Nepalese government on Sunday named Lt Gen Chhatraman Singh Gurung as the country's new army chief.

The Nepalese government on Sunday named Lt Gen Chhatraman Singh Gurung as the country's new army chief.

Gurung, 57, who was the second-in command of the Nepal Army, will succeed outgoing chief Rookmangud Katawal.

Katawal will take one-month leave before his retirement from the post September 9. Katawal was appointed to the post in September 2006.

Gurung will be the acting chief till Katawal's three-year tenure expires September 9. The defence ministry Friday approved his leave request.

Katawal was removed from the post May 3 by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) led government, but was reinstated by President Ram Yadav on the same day. After the row over Katawal's sacking, UCPN-M chairman Prachanda resigned from the post of prime minister May 4.

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