Nepal king says to hand over power - Yahoo! News

Nepal king says to hand over power - Yahoo! News: "'Executive power of the kingdom of Nepal, which was in our safekeeping, shall from this day be returned to the people,' he said in an address to the nation in the Nepali language.

'We ask the seven-party alliance to recommend the name for the post of prime minister at the earliest for the constitution of a council of ministers, which will bear the responsibility of governing the country in accordance with the constitution.'

Looking serious and dressed in a Nepali cap and black jacket, Gyanendra said he was making the move 'in keeping with the tradition of the Shah dynasty to reign in accordance with the popular will, in the greater interest of the nation and the people, and our unflinching commitment toward constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy.'

The reactions of local residents were mixed.

'The king has given all he can,' said Bobby Singh, a pilot with Royal Nepal Airlines. 'Now the ball is in the seven-party alliance's court.'

Prominent women's rights activist Prabha Thakar said: 'It's the best news in a while. It's not the be-all and end-all, but at this point in time, I think there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel.'

The constitution issue was troubling, said Uttam Ghimire, a teacher. 'I don't think the seven political parties will agree with him because their main demand is a constituent assembly and he has not addressed this demand.'"