Nepal's King Gyanendra yesterday lifted a state of emergency he imposed after seizing power in February, apparently bowing to strong international pressure to restore civil liberties.
"His Majesty, in accordance with the Constitution, has lifted the order of the state of emergency," a brief palace statement said.
Although Nepal's Constitution provides for emergency rule for up to three months -- a period set to expire on Sunday -- the king was widely expected to decree its extension. Even with the end of the emergency, however, the king continues to rule the country directly, without an elected government or parliament.
Gyanendra imposed the draconian measures on Feb. 1. after firing the government, taking absolute power and suspending civil liberties in a move widely condemned both within Nepal and internationally.
The palace announcement came after the king's return on Friday from visits to China, Indonesia and Singapore, where leaders pressed him to restore democracy in Nepal.
Gyanendra met several leaders on the sidelines of an African-Asian Summit in Indonesia last week, including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
The meeting with Singh was crucial, because India -- a key source of arms for Nepal's fight against a communist insurgency -- suspended aid to Nepal after Gyanendra's power grab.
On Thursday, Annan said he wanted to see "a return to constitutional rule as soon as possible," adding that during a meeting with Gyanendra, "I made this clear to the king."
Since the royalist takeover, hundreds of politicians have been jailed and protests against the king and his royal government have been banned.
Several arrests of key politicians, including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, have been carried out under the direction of the Royal Commission on Corruption Control, formed after the king's taking over.
In a separate statement issued yesterday, the palace said the commission's authority would be extended despite the end of emergency rule.
Constitutional expert Harihar Dahal said the withdrawal of the state of emergency -- which is based in Nepal's Constitution -- would automatically restore all other suspended civil liberties.
Political parties that have organized widespread street protests against the king welcomed the announcement, but remained skeptical that it would restore all democratic rights.
"There is a lot more the king has to do, like free political leaders and lift all restrictions, before we can say emergency rule has been totally lifted," said Mahesh Acharya of the Nepali Congress party.
Minendra Rijal of the Nepali Congress Democratic party said he feared the king could still pursue opponents using other legal provisions such as anti-terrorism laws, public security acts and anti-corruption laws.
Most people on the streets too said it was too early to begin celebrating.
"We have to wait and watch the situation. Just because the emergency is ended, it does not mean the king will let go of his power and stop all restrictions," said Ramesh Ghirmire, a school teacher.
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