Nepal sacks army chief Gen Katawal

KATHMANDU: Ending days of speculation, Nepal's Maoists-led government on Sunday fired army chief Gen Rukmanga Katawal, replacing him with loyalist Gen Kul Bahadur Khadka.

The announcement was made by prime minister Prachanda's press adviser Om Sharma despite domestic and international calls against such a move, including from India.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Prachanda, which decided to sack the army chief, was, however, boycotted by four other ruling alliance partners - CPN-UML, Madhesi People's Rights' Forum, Sadbhavana Party and CPN-United.

But, the decision has to be formally endorsed by president Ram Baran Yadav.

Main opposition Nepali Congress and 16 others political parties have been opposing the Maoists' plans to sack the army chief.

The Maoists' move came a fortnight after they served an ultimatum to Gen Katawal, seeking his clarification on recruitments by military, its "hastiness" in reinstating eight generals retired by the government and its decision not to participate in the national games.

He had furnished his reply contending that he had not disobeyed the government's directives on removing eight generals and halting recruitment in the military.