Kathmandu, Aug. 11 -- The government has delayed recommending ambassadors to around a dozen and a half countries until at least next week, as ruling party leaders remain divided over the names to be proposed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had invited applications through an open call on May 28 to fill vacant ambassadorial positions in 13 countries, including India, China, the US, the UK, and Australia. The deadline for applications was June 5.

More than 4,400 applications were received. After removing duplicate and incomplete applications, officials selected around 2,700 candidates and narrowed the list to a few hundred.

A number of career diplomats currently serving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are also in line for appointment...