Updated: Sun Feb. 21 2010 9:08:01 AM

The Associated Press

KATHMANDU, Nepal — A man who is only 56 centimetres tall left his home country of Nepal on Sunday in a quest to be recognized as the world's shortest living man.

Khagendra Thapa Magar is travelling to Europe to campaign for the Guinness World Record title. He applied to London-based group for a place in the record book in October, soon after turning 18, but said he has not received any response.

Magar's family initially filed a claim when he was 14, but it was rejected because he was not an adult and there was a chance he might grow.

"We are going to Italy to try to record his name in the Guinness Book of World Records," his father, Rup Bahadur Thapa Magar, told reporters in Kathmandu. They plan to appear on an Italian television show to talk about his bid for the title.

Once in Italy, Magar, his father and a supporter will decide on their next destination.

His supporters saw him off from the Nepalese capital on Sunday, offering flower bouquets and garlands.

The current record is held by He Pingping of China, who is 73 centimetres tall.