The Cabinet on Thursday appointed Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi as the new chief secretary after Lok Darshan Regmi resigned weeks before his mandatory retirement.

The Cabinet also recommended Regmi as Nepal’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. According to sources, former finance minister Yubaraj Khatiwada has been recommended as an ambassador for the United States.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Oli had approved Regmi’s resignation, which was subsequently approved by the Cabinet as well.

The Cabinet meeting is underway at Baluwatar.

Along with Bairagi, Kedar Bahadur Adhikari and Mohan Krishna Sapkota also were the contenders for the chief secretary’s job.