Kathmandu, May 31:

A senior US official, who is here on a four-day visit, today said there was no need for the parliament to declare a republic when the process of constituent assembly was underway.

“Why does somebody want to declare republic when you have a process underway, and have called for the constituent assembly elections?” asked Barry R Lowen-kron, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour.

He was responding to queries of reporters after his meeting with Speaker Subas Nembang. “It seems to me that the Nepali people have made a strategic decision to go for a constituent assembly so that all Nepalis can participate in it. It is up to them to take decisions,” he said.