Khan says the government and the powerful military are trying to stop him from contesting the next election, scheduled for November.

Paetongtarn, better known locally by her nickname 'Ung Ing' is one of the nominees for prime minister for the Pheu Thai party, which together with its previous incarnations has won every Thai election since 2001.

The visit triggered an angry reaction from Ukraine, with a presidential aide blasting its 'cynicism' and 'lack of remorse'.

The embassy says there have been many 'vicious' security incidents against workers of foreign mining enterprises in the area, and Chinese citizens still outside Bangui were requested to evacuate immediately.

Some investors, including a large mutual fund group that also runs a hedge fund, said prospects for banks had gotten progressively worse in recent months given the economic outlook.

The oil-rich country remains traumatised from the years of war, occupation and bloody sectarian turmoil that followed the operation launched on March 20, 2003.

The parties also reconfirmed commitments made at a meeting in Aqaba last month, including an Israeli pledge to stop discussion of any new settlement units for four months.

But Amritpal Singh himself was not thought to be among them.

The trip will be closely watched in Western capitals for signs Xi may push for peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

The government's decision last week to resort to Article 49.3 of the constitution to force the bill through parliament without a vote has prompted anger in the streets after weeks of mostly peaceful protests.

The takeover creates a banking giant such as Switzerland has never seen before – and raises concerns about possible layoffs.

Europe's most populous country is itself one of the world's most rapidly ageing societies.