US, India lead praise for Nepal king U-turn

US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli, speaking in Washington after the king's announcement late Monday following weeks of violent protests, said the king should now return to the sidelines.

"We believe that he should now hand power over to the parties and assume a ceremonial role in his country's governance," he said.

Ereli also called on Nepals political parties to "step up to their responsibilities and cooperate to turn the peoples demands for democracy and good governance into reality."

He also said that after 10 years of fighting, Maoists rebels "must end their violent attacks and join a peaceful political process."

"Through these steps, stability, peace and democracy can be restored in Nepal," Ereli said, adding that the United States and the international community stood ready to help.

Japan, a key donor to Nepal, expressed concern about the situation in the country and called for an end to street demonstrations now that the king had agreed to restore parliament.

"Japan hopes that the restoration of democracy will be realised peacefully, and calls upon all parties to act with self-restraint," the Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Japan also hopes that the parties involved will continue their dialogue to the end so as to find a solution which meets the expectation of the Nepalese people," it added.

India, which shares a border with the Himalayian nation, said it was satisfied with the king's announcement and that it hoped political parties in the kingdom would accept the decision.