British Minister of State for International Development Alan Duncan has announced approximately Rs 47 billion (331 million pound sterling) aid to Nepal over the next four years.

Duncan, who arrived in Nepal for a three-day visit on Tuesday, made the announcement at a press conference organised at the British embassy on Wednesday. The assistance will go into poverty alleviation programmes, natural disaster management and capacity building of the public entities and the private sector, among others.

Meanwhile, the British minister who held a series of political parleys including with Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, President Ram Baran Yadav, UCPN (M) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala, expressed hope that Nepal's political parties would be able to find early solution to the current political stalemate.

"My message has been consistent: we support Nepal, we encourage you to find a solution which will provide the country with political stability and we will continue to provide diplomatic and development support. These messages were well received and I remain hopeful that a solution will be found sooner rather than later, he said.

Duncan further said, "I appreciate these are uncertain times and it is important that everyone understands that by visiting Nepal it is not my intention to meddle in Nepal’s political processes." nepalnews.com

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