Resumo de Nepalis Cheer Climbdown By King - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south

Nepalis cheer climbdown by king Jubilant Nepalis have taken to the streets to celebrate after embattled King Gyanendra agreed to their demands to reinstate parliament. "This is the people's victory! Long live democracy!" hundreds chanted in parts of the capital Kathmandu. Opposition leaders are meeting to decide a formal response, ahead of a protest turned victory celebration. The king's announcement follows weeks of unrest by opponents to his absolute rule. At least 14 people have died. A tired and tense-looking King Gyanendra announced the move in a late-night televised address, saying it was aimed at "protecting multi-party democracy and restoring peace". He said the lower house of parliament would reconvene on Friday. But the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu says the king's speech still does not address the parties' newer demand for a special elected assembly to draw up a totally new constitution. It also does not chart a route for bringing the Maoist rebels into peaceful politics. The US welcomed the king's announcement and said he should now consider assuming a "ceremonial role" in the country's governance. On Monday, thousands of demonstrators defied a shoot-on-sight curfew in Kathmandu. But the mood turned to one of celebration after the king's address at 2330 local time (around 1800GMT).Hundreds streamed into the streets of Kathmandu and other towns, chanting, clapping and singing. "The people from every corner are pleased to come and celebrate," bank employee Prakash Nepal, 40, told the Associated Press.

Condolences
The opposition alliance is due to meet to discuss the next step in resolving the country's crisis, opposition leader Shobhakar Parajuli told the BBC. He said the mass rallies planned for Tuesday would go ahead, but would be a victory celebration and no longer a protest rally. In his address, the king expressed his "heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their lives in the people's movement and wish the injured speedy recovery". He added: "We are confident that the nation will forge ahead towards sustainable peace, progress, full-fledged democracy and national unity." The protests and a crippling strike led the United States to order all its non-essential diplomatic staff and their families to leave Nepal. More than 13,000 people have died in the 10-year Maoist insurgency aimed at replacing the monarchy with a communist republic. The king assumed direct powers in February 2005 saying parties were unable to deal with Maoist rebels. Violence has escalated since the rebels ended a truce in January - although they declared a ceasefire in Kathmandu this month as street protests began against King Gyanendra. A series of curfews have been in force in the city in recent days, but ignored by demonstrators.

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