Concern mounts over Koirala's health

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, 85, was discharged Wednesday after nine days in hospital with pneumonia, but one of his doctors said he had still not fully recovered.

"Though his treatment has not been completed, he can be medicated in his residence," said Madhu Ghimire.

Koirala was admitted to hospital on July 3, but has had respiratory problems for more than a year and recently gave up a lifelong smoking habit on doctors' advice.

During a recent trip to Bangkok, he received laser prostate treatment but it was never made clear how serious this condition was.

Koirala, a popular political figure who has served as premier several times before, took over the reins in late April after mass public protests forced King Gyanendra to give up absolute rule of the Himalayan kingdom.

But now some Nepalese leaders say Koirala's bad health is hampering efforts to put the country back on track.

"The government has many tasks to accomplish but they remain unfinished due to the prime minister's ill-health," Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of the second largest party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), told AFP.

Analysts said Koirala's illness and inability to fulfil his prime ministerial duties could affect the progress of a vital peace process with Maoist rebels that has been slow in getting off the ground.

The Maoists, fighting since 1996 for a "people's republic," agreed with the government last month to draft an interim constitution, paving the way for a power-sharing administration that would include the rebels. The two sides have already declared a ceasefire.