UN chief expresses sadness at passing of former Prime Minister of Nepal

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday said that he is saddened by the passing of former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress leader Sushil Koirala, a widely respected political leader who guided Nepal through its complex transition and constitutional process, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

"Mr. Koirala worked tirelessly to unify people and bring parties together in a spirit of compromise; he greatly contributed towards Nepal's democratization and peace process," said a statement read by Dujarric at a daily news briefing here.

The secretary-general extended his condolences to the Koirala family and the people of Nepal, the statement added.

The 76-year-old Koirala died Tuesday at a relative's residence in the Nepalese Capital Kathmandu. The former prime minister was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for the past few days and unable to attend his party's formal functions Monday as well, according to reports.

As leader of the Nepali Congress, main opposition party of Nepal, Koirala, had served as the 37th prime minister of the Himalayan country from February 2014 to October 2015.

The Nepali Congress president's death has come at a time when his party is all set to hold its 13th general convention within a month. The party has cancelled all election programs for the forthcoming General Convention following the president's demise. Endit