Ailing Nepali Prime Minister Girija Rasa Koirala has been hospitalized and will not attend parliament on Tuesday to present the government's annual policy statement, officials and doctors said.

The 84-year-old prime minister was admitted on Monday night and is in the intensive care unit of the Gangalal Heart Center in Kathmandu after complaining of chest problems.

"We have advised the cancellation of his public commitments for two days," Koirala's doctor Madhu Ghimire told reporters.

"He is in a stable condition," Ghimire told reporters. He, however, said that signs of pneumonia were found in Koirala, and he needs at least two days full rest in the hospital before he could return to his residence.

After examining him, director of the Martyr Gangalal National Heart Center said Koirala did not have any complications.

His family says he has problems in the right lung, a chest infection and needs rest.

A team of Indian medical experts is expected to arrive Kathmandu on Tuesday to examine Koirala's conditions.

Meanwhile, the scheduled presentation of the government's policy and programs before the House by the PM Tuesday has been postponed.

"He cannot go to parliament and deliver his address today," vice-president of the Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said.

Meanwhile, Koirala took a fresh oath of office and secrecy for the post of Prime Minister and Member of parliament from the hospital bed early Tuesday morning.

Under a special provision for taking oath, the Prime Minister signed the paper bearing the oath at around 9:00 am. (0315 GMT).

Other members of the cabinet will take their fresh oath of office and secrecy in parliament later Tuesday.

Source: Xinhua