Monday, May 29 2006 13:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: The Nepalese Army has said it was committed to obey the orders of the kingdom's newly installed Government and wants to see peace restored in the nation as per the wishes of the people.

"At a time when the country is moving towards establishing sustainable peace by strengthening the mechanism of multi-party democracy, the Nepal Army is committed to follow orders of the Government," Army Chief Pyarjung Thapa said in his first comments since the new Government took over.

The Army was committed to the peace-building process through talks as per the wishes of the people, Thapa said addressing army officers and trainees at a function at the Command number 13 at Shivapuri in Kathmandu yesterday.

"The Nepal Army is unwaveringly committed to its primary responsibility of protecting the country's sovereignty, integrity, nationalism and the nation's interest" he said.

In his address the army chief mentioned 'Nepal Army' deviating from the earlier phrase of 'Royal Nepalese Army' and remained silent about constitutional monarchy.

Nepal's reinstated Parliament has changed the Royal Nepalese Army into Nepal Army and stripped the monarch of his title of the Supreme-Commander-in-Chief of the Army.