Nepali government on Sunday decided to appoint Lt. Gen. Chhatraman Singh Gurung, second-in command of the Nepal Army, as the acting army chief.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers, held in Nepali capital Kathmandu, decided the appointment of Gurung to the post after the outgoing Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal decided to take leave for one month before his retirement from the post. He is retiring from the post on Sept. 9. Katawal was appointed the army chief in September 2006.

The CoAS of Nepal Army traditionally takes a one month leave before his term expires.

On Friday, Katawal had notified the President's office, Prime Minister's office and office of the Ministry of Defense about his month-long leave which is due to start from Monday.

Gurung, 57, will officially be army chief after Katawal's three-year tenure expires on Sept. 9.

Nepali Defense Ministry on Friday approved the request of Rookmangud Katawal to go a month-long leave.

The CoAS on Friday issued the letter informing the Ministry of Defense that he is going on leave from Monday (Aug. 10).

CoAS Katawal was removed by the government led by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M) on May 3 and was reinstated by President Ram Yadav later on the same day. UCPN-M chairman Prachanda hence resigned from the post of prime minister on May 4 over the army chief row.

UCPN-M launched a month-long agitation Friday, since the government failed to meet their demands, which include "correcting the President's move to reinstate Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Rookmangud Katawal."