KATHMANDU. Dec 11: Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has asked King Birendra to dissolve parliament following the mass resignation of all 13 communist ministers in the government coalition, the state radio announced today, reports AFP.

Koirala also asked the King to call general elections on May 31.

All 13 communist ministers in the Nepal government coalition have resigned en masse on Thursday after they failed to reach an agreement with their Nepali Congress (NC) partners.

The Nepal Communist Party-Marxist and Leninist (NCP-ML) had issued an ultimatum to the NC it would pull out of the coalition, formed only

four months ago. if the government did not fulfil the terms of an agreement signed by the communists with nine other leftwing parties.

When the deadline ran out on December 1 Koirala had agreed to fulfil all the demands except the removal of Inspector General of Police Achyut Krishna Kharel. He also asked for more time.

The decision to resign was made after talks on Thursday between the two sides failed to reach a solution, sources said.

The NCP-ML had also called for the removal of Indian troops who were stationed in the Kalapahi area, an arid mountainous region. 415 kilometres (259 miles) northwest of there, since a 1962 Indo-China war. Both Nepal and India lay

claim to the area.

They, also wanted the government to deal with Maoist insurgents who have been waging a people's war' since February 1996. but all government efforts to talk to the rebels have been rejected. The government has also offered an amnesty to any guerillas who surrender.

More than 600 people including police, civilians and insurgents have died so far in the violence.

AP adds. King Birendra is scheduled to fly back to Kathmandu on Monday from London. where he has been under medical treatment after suffering heart trouble. If the King accepts Koirala's proposal, Koirala will lead a caretaker government until the election.