The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US for South Asian Affairs, Donald Camp (File Photo)

The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US for South Asian Affairs, Donald Camp, is to arrive Kathmandu on a two-day visit of the Himalayan kingdom, officials said.

An official at The American Center in Kathmandu told Nepalnews that Camp is arriving Nepal “on a routine visit.” He did not provide details.

Officials said Camp will meet senior government officials during his visit to Kathmandu and will also hold a press conference on Thursday. He is also expected to meet senior opposition leaders during his Nepal sojourn.

Mr. Camp had arrived Nepal in June last year.

Camp’s visit to Nepal is taking place barely a week after US President George W Bush and Indian premier, Dr Manmohan Singh, called on His Majesty King Gyanedra to reach out to the political parties to restore democracy in Nepal.

Addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi last week, the US President said he and the Indian premier “agreed” that the Nepali monarch should restore democratic process.

“On Nepal, we agreed that the Maoists should abandon violence and that the King should reach out to the political parties to restore democratic institutions,” the US president told reporters.

Mr. Bush said the US and India also agreed to work for protection of human rights in Nepal and Myanmar.

Along with India and the United Kingdom, the US suspended its military assistance to Nepal in the aftermath of the royal takeover of February 1, 2005.

The US has been reiterating on the need for reconciliation between what it calls the constitutional forces, that is, the King and the mainstream political parties in the country.