Gyanendra vacates palace, not to seek exile

Nepal's last King on Wednesday bid farewell to the throne held by the Shah dynasty for 240 years and the royal palace with an emotion-charged speech in which he said he ''respected'' the Constitution Assembly's decision to abolish monarchy and denied that he was leaving the country.

The 60-year-old ... ...and his wife Komal Shah left for the Nagarjuna forest retreat near here in the back of an armoured black Mercedes car at about 8:45 pm (2030 IST), followed by a police and army escort.

Hundreds of riot police surrounded the main gate of the pink-hued sprawling palace. Thousands of people, including a battery of mediaperons, had gathered outside to witness the making of history.

Slogans of ''Long live the republic'' rang out from the crowd, while some pro-royalist onlookers cried and shouted that Gyanendra should not leave.

Earlier, addressing the nation, the deposed king said he respected the will of the people and wanted to contribute in ''whatever capacity'' he can to promote peace in the country.

''I have assisted in and respected the verdict of the people,'' he said in his first comments since the declaration of the country a republic on May 28, but added that he ''will not leave this country'' and go into exile.

Gyanendra said he had already handed over his crown and sceptre to the government. ''The crown and sceptre used by the Shah dynasty, I have given to the Nepal government,'' he said.

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