Nepalese opposition walks out of parliament

Opposition parties in Nepal have disrupted parliamentary proceedings for a seventh day.

They walked out of the chamber, forcing the Speaker, Taranath Ranabhat, to adjourn proceedings until Tuesday.

The opposition parties are calling for the resignation of the prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, for his alleged involvement in corruption on the controversial leasing of an Austrian aircraft for the state-owned Royal Nepal Airlines.

Mr Koirala has refused to step down, saying the allegations are unfounded.

He's started a dialogue with opposition leaders to break the deadlock. There's been no immediate progress, but authorities say they are optimistic that normal parliamentary proceedings will resume next week.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service