KATHMANDU, Nepal, April 21 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the Nepal monarch's promise to restore power to the people of the Himalayan Kingdom.
King Gyanendra announced Friday night that he would transfer power to leaders of the seven party opposition bloc. The king had seized absolute power last February in what he said was a bid to quell a decade-long Maoist insurgency.
Tens of thousands of Nepalis have staged protests in the capital Kathmandu during the last several days calling for democracy to be restored. At least three people were killed Thursday when police opened fire on demonstrators.
Annan's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said the secretary-general met with Ambassador Madhu Acharya of Nepal late Friday, who gave him a copy of the proclamation Gyanendra broadcast from Kathmandu.
"(Annan) welcomes the affirmation that executive power will be returned to the people," Dujarric said. "It is up to the parties to work out the modalities for the transfer of power in a timely, orderly and responsible manner. He sincerely hopes that this will result in the speedy restoration of democratic order, an end to the conflict and the establishment of lasting peace through an inclusive process of dialogue.
"He appreciates the intensive diplomatic efforts of Nepal's friends and neighbors," the spokesman added, in an apparent reference to efforts led by India.
Earlier Friday, U.N. human rights officials said demonstrations in Nepal began slowly and were generally peaceful in most places.
They also said conduct by security forces in most of Kathmandu was more restrained than in days past, with calm taking hold in the streets in anticipation of King Gyanendra's announcement.
