Nepal King reinstates dissolved Parliament

Kathmandu, Apr 25: Bowing to the intense pressure mounted by pro-democracy protestors, Nepal's King Gyanendra tonight announced the revival of the kingdom's dissolved parliament, a key demand of the seven-party alliance that had been spearheading the agitation since April six.

''We, through this proclamation, reinstate the house of representatives which was dissolved on May 22, 2002,'' he said on national television.

In the broadcast, the King hoped that the seven-party alliance would ensure the integrity of the nation, and summoned parliament to meet at 1300 hrs on April 28.

The King also expressed condolences for those killed and injured in the anti-monarchy violence.

The proclamation comes ahead of the massive rally tomorrow in which the leaders of the alliance were supposed to address 20 lakh people.

Highly placed sources in the Nepali Congress said a meeting was under way at former prime minister G P Koirala's house to discuss the situation after the King's announcement.

UNI

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