Nepal's lawmakers abolished the monarchy and declared the country a republic Wednesday, ending 239 years of royal rule in the Himalayan nation.
The newly elected assembly, led by the former communist rebels, adopted the resolution at its first meeting by an overwhelming majority. King Gyanendra has been given 15 days to leave his palace in central Katmandu.
Across Katmandu, young men marched with red flags as Nepalis celebrated what many see as the culmination of a two-year peace process with the rebels which began after weeks of unrest forced the king to restore democracy.
Near the convention center where the Constituent Assembly was meeting, thousands chanted "Long Live the Republic!" and denounced Gyanendra. While the celebrations were largely joyous and peaceful, police at one point used tear gas to disperse a crowd that gathered too close to the building.
There was no immediate reaction from the palace on the resolution. It has rarely commented on political developments in Nepal since Gyanendra was forced to end his royal dictatorship.
The country's leading politicians have in recent days threatened to forcibly remove him from his palace if he refuses to go peacefully. (CNN)Read more:http://article.wn.com/view/2008/05/28/Nepal_abolishes_monarchy_after_239_years_of_rule/
Across Katmandu, young men marched with red flags as Nepalis celebrated what many see as the culmination of a two-year peace process with the rebels which began after weeks of unrest forced the king to restore democracy.
Near the convention center where the Constituent Assembly was meeting, thousands chanted "Long Live the Republic!" and denounced Gyanendra. While the celebrations were largely joyous and peaceful, police at one point used tear gas to disperse a crowd that gathered too close to the building.
There was no immediate reaction from the palace on the resolution. It has rarely commented on political developments in Nepal since Gyanendra was forced to end his royal dictatorship.
The country's leading politicians have in recent days threatened to forcibly remove him from his palace if he refuses to go peacefully. (CNN)Read more:http://article.wn.com/view/2008/05/28/Nepal_abolishes_monarchy_after_239_years_of_rule/
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