To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the political situation in Nepal.

The UK is deeply concerned by the current political situation in Nepal. We believe that the King's recent move to dismiss the Prime Minister and assume power outside the framework of a multi party democratic system is likely to put back the prospects of a negotiated settlement. Immediately following the King's takeover of power on 1 February I issued a statement in which I said that this action would increase the risk of instability in Nepal and undermine the institutions of democracy and constitutional monarchy in the country. A copy of the statement is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website www.fco.gov.uk/policy/news/press-releases. Such is the level of our concern that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary temporarily recalled our Ambassador in Kathmandu for consultations on 14 February.

The UK has consistently held the view that there can be no military resolution and that a negotiated political settlement involving all parties offers the best way to resolve the ongoing conflict and to create a stable democracy with good governance and respect for human rights. We will continue to press all parties for an early return to negotiations.