King Gyanendra swore in Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the royal palace in central Katmandu, the first time the two had come face-to-face since weeks of bloody protests - led in part by Koirala - forced the monarch to give up complete control and reinstate parliament.

The king patted the frail-looking Koirala on his arm before issuing the oath of office in a palace hall where two stuffed tigers reared up on hind legs in the background. The guests included top military officials and the Supreme Court's chief justice. But the royal Privy Council - the king's top advisers - did not attend.

Mr Koirala, a onetime labour organiser who is among the country's most senior politicians, was chosen prime minister because he was the most acceptable candidate among the leading seven-party alliance, political leaders have said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of those discussions.

CNN