Former Nepalese minister released

A powerful anti-corruption commission in Nepal has released a former minister on the orders of the Supreme Court, shortly after his arrest.

The former minister and head of the Unified Marxist-Leninist party, Bhim Rawal, had been arrested on the orders of a body set up by King Gyanendra.

Mr Rawal was being questioned about a case eight years ago involving alleged irregularities over an airline deal.

The King set up an anti-corruption body after he siezed direct powers.

Mr Rawal was taken into custody on the orders of the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC).

However, the Supreme Court then overturned his arrest, saying that another anti-corruption commission, the CIAA, set up by the government, had already cleared him of wrongdoing in the case in question.

Correspondents say this is the first time the Supreme Court has intervened in this way in the work of the royal commission, which denies accusations that it is pursuing political vendettas.