Nepal's prime minister resigns in army chief row
The prime minister's resignation has raised fears of a worsening political crisis in the country
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Monday, 04, May 2009 12:02
Nepal's Maoist prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has resigned after a row over yesterday's dismissal of the country's army chief dramatically escalated.
Previously, Nepal's prime minister and former rebel leader Mr Dahal asked army chief General Rookmangud Katawal why orders to dismiss eight army generals, to include former rebels into the military and to freeze the inclusion of new recruits into the armed forces had not been followed.
Yesterday, Mr Katawal was sacked by the cabinet for disobeying the orders raising fears of further uncertainty in the country after the end of a civil war between the former Maoist rebels and the country's military three years ago.
Soon after Mr Katawal's dismissal, the country's president, Ram Baran Yadav, who is from an opposition party and is technically commander in chief, called the sacking "unconstitutional".
Two parties in the governing coalition have resigned over the move leaving the Maoist government on shaky foundations.
The south Asian country is going through a period of transition after the ending of its monarchical system and the election of Maoist rebels to a parliamentary government last year.