Nepalese cry 'hang the king' as opposition vows more protests

The protesters walked five kilometres (three miles), blowing whistles and chanting "Leave the palace, we will run the country" and "Give us back our rights" as onlookers cheered and clapped, some joining the procession.

Riot police watched the pro-democracy protest but did not intervene. A police official told AFP there were no arrests.

The march came after the seven-party opposition alliance coordinating committee vowed to step up its anti-king campaign and strictly implement an indefinite general strike, saying Gyanendra had "failed to address the political crisis."

The past week has seen the most intense protests against Gyanendra's regime since he seized power 14 months ago. Thousands have demonstrated, hundreds have been arrested and four protesters have been killed by security services.

Gyanendra said Friday in a message marking Nepal's New Year: "There is no alternative to multiparty democracy." He expressed a desire for "an exemplary democratic exercise like general elections" but set no dates for a poll.

Earlier Saturday, baton-wielding police charged about 100 journalists who staged a rally in the capital and chanted "Restore complete democracy," witnesses said. Around six journalists were injured and half a dozen arrested, they said.

Opposition parties promised to step up protests after Nepal's Maoist rebel leader accused Gyanendra late Friday of "feudal stubbornness."

"The king and royal army have made it clear that they want to continue their rule over the people and the country," said the Maoist leader Prachanda.

A general strike that began April 6 had been tapering off amid hopes the king would reach out to opponents in his message.

But following opposition disappointment at the king's speech, most businesses and shops shut again in the Kathmandu valley and few vehicles travelled the streets where security men stood guard.

Once foes, the opposition parties and Maoists entered a loose alliance last November, further isolating King Gyanendra, the world's only Hindu monarch.

The rebels, who have been waging a 10-year battle to topple the monarchy, have called a ceasefire in the Kathmandu valley to aid the protest campaign but have continued attacks on security forces elsewhere in the Himalayan kingdom.