The National Assembly in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is meeting to debate a future constitution -- in what's seen as a first, tentative step towards a more representative government.

The meeting comes after King Jigme Singye Wangchuk announced he was dissolving his cabinet, and dismissing members who hadn't been elected.

The BBC correspondent in Delhi says dissident groups and pro-democracy campaigners expect little real reform.

But, our correspondent says, the King has now unleashed expectations of considerable political change.