Nepal PM quits amid political uncertainty

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Nepal's embattled Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal resigned on Sunday, following intense pressure from the main opposition Nepali Congress and his key ally Maoists.

"The Prime Minister has tendered his resignation and the president has asked him to serve as the caretaker after accepting the resignation," national broadcaster Doordarshan quoted Nepal’s President Ram Baran Yadav's press advisor, Rajendra Dahal, as saying.

The process of electing a new Prime Minister will start on Monday, the president's office said.

Earlier, 61-year-old Khanal told the CPN-UML leaders at the party's Central Committee meeting that he would step down on Sunday.

"I will quit as per my commitment. I will submit my resignation today itself, and address the House tomorrow," said the prime minister before the conclusion of the CPN-UML Central Committee meet.

CPN-UML leader Khanal was elected prime minster on February 3, 2011 after 17 rounds of polls in Parliament.

He had said earlier this month that he would resign if there was 'no concrete' progress on the 2006 peace process.