Nepalnews.com, news from Nepal as it happens

Everest opens for climbing

With the Chinese mountaineering team successfully taking the Olympic torch to Mt Everest, the government has also removed the ban on mountaineering expeditions to the tallest peak in the world effective from Thursday

Climbing Everest beyond Camp II was banned following a cabinet decision April 2 on the request of Chinese government to ensure safe passage for the torch.

On Thursday, Chinese climbers carrying the Olympic flame reached the summit. China's state television live-cast the historic moment.

Tibetan female climber Cering Wangmo reached the top of the world's tallest mountain bearing a special extreme-altitude torch, triggering celebrations in China.

Celebrations were marked atop Everest and in Beijing for the success. The team halted 4m below the summit to light the torch with five climbers then relaying it the final meters to the top.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng Xianglin has lauded the role of the government of Nepal in helping bring the Olympics torch to the summit of Mt Everest.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Koirala Thursday, Ambassador Zheng expressed thanks to Koirala and his government for the "great support" and "assistance" for this. He also praised the role of Nepal Army and concerned authorities in making detailed arrangements and doing enormous work.

In a statement, the Chinese embassy said that in the meeting, Koirala requested the Chinese ambassador to forward a congratulatory letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao. nepalnews.com ia/ag May 09 08