The European Union member states have recalled their ambassadors from the Nepalese capital Kathmandu for consultations following King Gyanendra's power grab there, a French foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday.
"In the light of recent events in Nepal, we, along with our European partners, have decided to recall our ambassadors in Kathmandu for consultations," Herve Ladsous said.
Also see: Blockade complete in Western Nepal
On February 1, Gyanendra sacked the government, appointed a pro-royalist cabinet headed by himself and declared a state of emergency in the Himalayan kingdom.
The government renewed calls for peace talks with Maoist rebels on Monday.
This was after a blockade called by the guerrillas reduced traffic in and out of the capital to a trickle.
Also see: Indian envoy to Nepal called home for talks
"Our ambassador will leave Nepal temporarily, heading tonight to Paris, where he will give the French authorities his assessment of the situation. He is due to return before the end of February," Ladsous said.
The Maoist struggle to topple the monarchy in Nepal has left more than 11,000 dead since February 1996.
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