Nepal's prime minister suffering from lung cancer

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal's prime minister is suffering from lung cancer and scheduled to begin radiotherapy at a New York hospital, officials said Friday.

Information Minister Minendra Rijal said that doctors at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York believe that the spots on Sushil Koiarla's lungs are at an initial stage and can be treated quickly.

The doctors are scheduled to begin the radiotherapy treatment on Friday and it is expected to be completed within two weeks.

He became the prime minister in February, heading a coalition government after his party won the most seats in parliament but not a majority.

Koirala had flown to New York for an annual medical checkup at the hospital. The news of his illness comes as the government needs to approve the annual budget before the end of fiscal year on July 16.