[ Journalist Akhilesh Upadhyay contributed to this report. ]
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Nepal's king sacks government
Tuesday, February 1, 2005 Posted: 3:07 AM EST (0807 GMT)

KATHMANDU, Nepal -- King Gyanendra says he has dissolved the government of Nepal and has declared a state of emergency as he takes control of the Himalayan kingdom.

Flights into and out of the capital of Kathmandu, as well as communication lines, were shut down immediately after the king's national broadcast on Tuesday.

Speaking on state-run television, the king accused the government of failing to conduct parliamentary elections and restoring peace in the country.

Soldiers were seen surrounding the houses of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and other government leaders, while armored vehicles with mounted machine guns were patrolling the streets of Kathmandu.

India's NDTV television channel said the monarch had placed politicians under house arrest, but no further details were available.

It is the second time in three years the monarch has taken such a drastic move.

The monarch, who is also the supreme commander of the 78,000-strong Royal Nepalese Army, said security forces would be given more power to maintain law and order.

"A new Cabinet will be formed under my leadership," the king said, accusing political parties of plunging the country into crisis.

"This will restore peace and effective democracy in this country within the next three years."

But he insisted human rights would be respected, according to AP reports.

Even before the announcement, commentators said the king was unhappy with the prime minister for continually deferring elections -- a mandate given to him by the king when he appointed him to the post in June.

Deuba found himself in a deep political bind -- caught between the king and other political forces. He was fired in October 2002, sparking massive street protests, and was reinstated with the task of holding elections.

His major coalition partner, the communist party, is deeply divided over the election call.

In addition, Maoist rebels have stated in no uncertain terms that there will be a massive bloodbath if Deuba announces elections.

Inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, the rebels want to replace Nepal's monarchy with a Communist state.

Over an eight-year period, the insurgency has claimed more than 11,000 lives.

The king acceded to the throne in 2001 after his brother King Birendra was killed in a massacre at the royal palace.