The Nepali prime minister has been re-appointed to form a new coalition government by King Birendra.

Girija Prasad Koirala will head a coalition including the Nepali Communist Party, United Marxist Leninist, who agreed to take part on condition that fresh elections are called by April.

Mr Koirala's government must obtain a vote of confidence in parliament within the next 30 days.

The Nepalese government has fallen four times since elections in 1994 produced a parliament with no clear majority