A day after the announcement to close down the consular office and the American Library indefinitely, the US State Department has at the recommendation of the US Embassy in Kathmandu authorised US mission officials and their families to leave Nepal voluntarily.

”At the recommendation of the US Embassy in Kathmandu, the State Department on April 12 authorized departure from Nepal for non-emergency US Mission personnel and families. “This authorization means non-emergency employees, their family members, and families of employees who must remain at post can opt to depart Nepal in coming days,” a press statement issued by the US Embassy on Thursday said.

The Embassy recommended this step following a week of widespread demonstrations, violence, and growing instability throughout Nepal, the statement further said.

Similarly, the State Department in its “updated Travel Warning for Nepal” said, “American citizens are urged to evaluate their personal security posture and consider whether it is appropriate to remain in Nepal. American citizens also are advised that His Majesty’s Government of Nepal continues to use curfews to control the growing number of large and widespread demonstrations.”

“Department of State urges American citizens to defer non-essential travel to Nepal and urges those Americans currently in Nepal consider departing in light of the information noted below. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on December 15, 2005,” the updated travel warning posted in the State Department’s website said. nepalnews.com mk Apr 13 06