Nepal’s king pledges to hold elections despite violent protests

NEPAL’S royal government vowed yesterday to hold municipal elections next month despite a boycott by major parties, street protests, a candidate’s assassination and rebel violence that killed 26 over the weekend.

“We will hold the elections no matter what,” said Information Minister Shrish Sumshere Rana.

King Gyanendra has said he would restore democracy within three years after he seized control of the government in February 2005, promising to crush a communist insurgency and halt political corruption.