Kathmandu, May 25:

United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan A Feigenbaum met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s official residence in Baluwatar today.

During the meeting, the US official expressed concern about the delay in the formation of a new government. He is learnt to have expressed concern about the “level of violence prevalent in the country”.

Koirala expressed confidence that parties would soon reach a consensus on the formation of a government, said Aditya Baral, PM’s adviser on foreign affairs.

Feigenbaum also met Speaker Subas Nembang and chief of the CPN-UML Jhala Nath Khanal.

After meeting Nembang, Feigenbaum said the next few days would be “challenging for

Nepal”.

“What happens in the next few days will be quite important.”

“We discussed contemporary political issues, formation of a new government, preparation for the first meeting of the CA, making of a new constitution, and democratic and peaceful ways to move ahead,” the Speaker said. “The US government will continue its support to Nepal regardless of who comes to power,” Feigenbaum said.

Feigenbaum also pledged to continue US support in the process of constitution-making, the Speaker said. “The US is likely to extend support to strengthen the CA and its secretariat.”

He is scheduled to meet Maoist leaders tomorrow and inspect US-funded projects.