Veteran Nepal politician Koirala dies at age 86

Katmandu: Close aides said former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, one of Nepal's most prominent politicians, has died at age 86.

Koirala served five terms as prime minister and led mass protests that brought down the king's authoritarian rule.

He died on Saturday at his daughter's house in Katmandu, where he was taken earlier in the week after spending several days in the hospital.

Koirala's close aide and parliament member Bal Krishna Khad confirmed the death to reporters and thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the house.