Capital cut off

KATHMANDU, the Nepal capital, was cut off from the rest of the country yesterday after communist rebels threatened to attack any vehicles on main roads.

Roads leading out of the capital were deserted, and the only way in or out for most travellers was by air, though few in this impoverished Himalayan kingdom can afford to fly.

The rebels said last week that they would attack vehicles for an indefinite period from yesterday to pressure the government to immediately release jailed guerrillas.