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Nepali ex-king holds last press meet
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-11 22:40

KATHMANDU - Nepal's last king of Shah dynasty of around 240 years, Gyanendra Bir  Bikram Shah Dev, held his last press meet on Wednesday afternoon inside the former royal Narayanhiti palace.

Nepal's ex-king Gyanendra addresses the media at the Narayanhiti royal palace in Kathmandu June 11, 2008. [Agencies] 

Gyanendra told reporters that he will stay in the country because "I love this country very much."

He said his direct rule from 2005 is in favor of the people and the peace. But due to some circumstances, "I could not achieve what I wanted to do," he said.

"My decision to act as the head of the state was constitutional, " Gyanendra further explained, "I did it with good intention."

He said he respects the people's decision and will play a cooperative role to implement the decision of the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly (CA).  "Following the people's decision is the history of Shah dynasty," he said.

Gyanendra also said he has handed over the crown and the scepter, "and I hope the government will well protect them".

Nepal's royal crown is composed of precious diamonds, pearls and emeralds.

Gyanendra said all his private properties are in Nepal, and the former king Birendra's properties "are in the name of the palace, not of me, are not transferred abroad."

"Accusation of my involvement in 2001 massacre in the palace made me very sad and a difficult time, which is fault," Gyanendra said.

"I would continue to work for the welfare of the Nepali people, " Gyanendra said.

Former King Gyanendra started to offer his speech at around 17: 30 local time (1145 GMT), after posing for photographers taking photos.

The speech lasted for around 15 minutes.

He and his wife Komal were expected to leave the Narayanhiti palace at around 20:00 (1415 GMT) on Wednesday evening.

On May 28, the newly-elected CA declared the country a federal democratic republic and directed the Nepali government to control and manage the former royal Narayanhiti Palace in downtown Kathmandu, and to ask the former king to vacate the Narayanhiti within 15 days.