Assistant Secretary of State of the United States for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher arrived in Kathmandu Tuesday afternoon to assess the situation in Nepal following the recent political change.

Boucher will meet Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at 4:00 p.m. (1015 GMT) Tuesday, sources at the Nepali Congress Party said.

He is also expected to meet King Gyanendra, but no details about his stay here are available.

After landing in Kathmandu, Boucher called on the anti- government forces to lay down arms and return to the peaceful mainstream politics.

The American Center here said Boucher will hold a press conference Wednesday morning.

Source: Xinhua