Kathmandu, Aug 24: Nepal's King Gyanendra today left for a three-week visit to Britain to undergo a health check-up after entrusting crown Prince Paras with discharging official duties during his absence. "His Majesty formed the council of royal representatives under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Paras for discharging duties during his absence of about three weeks, prior to his departure for London,” official RSS news agency said.

The King and Queen will undergo routine examination at London's Cromwell Hospital and return on September 10, it said. The King's trip comes at a crucial time when the long-delayed third round of peace talks between the Maoists and the government broke down on Tuesday, as the rebels pressed for an assembly to rewrite the constitution, and an apology for the killing of at least 17 of its cadres by the army.

Gyanendra is also the commander in chief of the Royal Nepal Army, which has been on the frontline of fighting with Maoists.
Bureau Report