Nepal opposition ends protests as Maoists reject king's speech

Nepal’s opposition alliance called off weeks of devastating pro-democracy protests today after King Gyanendra gave in to a demand to reinstate Parliament, but Maoist insurgents quickly rejected the royal announcement.

King Gyanendra’s overnight speech, welcomed by the opposition and many thousands of Nepalese who had been calling for him to relinquish power, was “a conspiracy to protect the regime”, said a statement signed by rebel leader Prachanda and his deputy Baburam Bhattarai.