KATHMANDU (AFP) - A Nepalese presenter has set the world record for the longest television talk show by staying on air for 62 hours and 12 minutes, organisers said on Sunday.

Mr Rabi Lamichhane, a 36-year-old based in the United States, returned to Kathmandu to stage the "Lord Buddha Was Born in Nepal" programme, which took the Guinness world record late Saturday night.

"Our campaign was aimed to spread the message to the world that the Buddha was born in Nepal," said Mr Anil Joshi, Chairman of News24, the television station broadcasting the program told AFP, adding that the programme promoted tourism destinations such as Mount Everest.

One hundred guests, ranging from former Maoist rebel leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, to the Indian ambassador to Nepal, to Nepalese television celebrities and common people joined Mr Lamichhane during the programme.

Mr Lamichhane's performance broke the record previously held by Pavlo Kuzheyev and Tetiana Danylenko for a 52-hour broadcast to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Ukraine's independence in 2011.

According to Guinness World Records rules, Mr Lamichhane was allowed five minutes every hour for a break.

Organisers said he ate some meals while interviewing guests, banked several of the slots for a longer rest period and otherwise survived on energy drinks.

The show was recorded in the Nepali language with English subtitles from the News24 studio in Kathmandu, and was live-streamed on the channel's website and several partner websites.