Nepal's king vows to hold elections

KATHMANDU, Apr 13 (Reuters) Nepal's embattled King Gyanendra vowed today to hold elections in his Himalayan kingdom, but gave no firm date, and did not appear to go beyond previous promises.

''It is our wish that in order to re-energise multi-party democracy, there should not be any delay in re-activating all representative bodies through elections, the monarch said in a message to the nation, broadcast at the stroke of midnight at the start of Nepal's Hindu New Year.

''May the efforts at ensuring sustainable peace and meaningful democracy in the interests of the nation and the people bear fruit during the new year.

King Gyanendra has earlier vowed to hold elections by April 2007 and the latest promise looked unlikely to douse a virulent anti-royal campaign to restore democracy immediately and bring in a representative government.

REUTERS DH BD0047