Nepal president gives parties a week to form new government

FILE PHOTO: Newly appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba walks after formally assuming office at Singha Durbar office complex that houses the Prime Minister's office and other ministries, in Kathmandu, Nepal July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Nepal's president on Sunday called on the country's political parties to try to form the new government within a week after last month's inconclusive national election.

The ruling alliance, led by the Nepali Congress party of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and the main opposition Nepal Communist Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) party need the support of smaller groups to form a new government.