10 August,2009 09:54 AM IST | | Agencies
The Nepalese government on Sunday named Lt Gen Chhatraman Singh Gurung as the country's new army chief.
Gurung, 57, who was the second-in command of the Nepal Army, will succeed outgoing chief Rookmangud Katawal.
Katawal will take one-month leave before his retirement from the post September 9. Katawal was appointed to the post in September 2006.
Gurung will be the acting chief till Katawal's three-year tenure expires September 9. The defence ministry Friday approved his leave request.
Katawal was removed from the post May 3 by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) led government, but was reinstated by President Ram Yadav on the same day. After the row over Katawal's sacking, UCPN-M chairman Prachanda resigned from the post of prime minister May 4.
