Key conference for Nepal's leadership

The ruling Nepali Congress has opened a key four-day convention in the western town Pokhara aiming at consolidating its leadership's grip on power.

Delegates are expected to vote for an amendment to the constitution of the faction-ridden party, aimed at helping the party president, and current Nepali Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, to retain his party post for the next five years.

Correspondents say Mr Koirala is facing a challenge in his re-election bid on Saturday from the dissident leader and former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service