Nepali King Gyanendra declared on Friday evening to dissolve the Council of Ministers, or cabinet, formed under his chairmanship on Feb. 1, 2005 and gave up his power of the state to the Nepalese people.

Addressing to the nation through state-run Radio Nepal and Nepal Television at 7:00 PM local time (13:15 GMT), the king declared to dissolve the cabinet, and asked the seven opposition political party alliance to recommend the name of new Prime minister as soon as possible.

"According to the constitution of Nepal, we have returned the power of the state to the people," the king said in the royal proclamation, adding, "the present cabinet will continue to function until the new government to be formed."

Also on Friday, the Nepali government declared to extend curfew order imposed in the capital Kathmandu Valley by another four hours.

"The curfew order imposed on Friday in the Valley, from 9:00 AM local time (03:15 GMT) to 8:00 PM local time (14:15 GMT), is increased until 12:00 PM local time (18:15 GMT)," state-run RadioNepal said.

Issuing separate public notices, the District Administration Offices (DAOs) of Kathmandu and Lalitpur, extended the announced curfew hour, citing possible violence and loss of property during agitation being carried out by the seven opposition political parties.

The curfew orders have been clamped in within and 200 meter outside the Ring Road area, the periphery of downtown Kathmandu and Lalitpur cities, of the valley, the notices said, adding, "Security personnel have been authorized to shoot at those defying the curfew."

DAOs, the local government offices, on Thursday also imposed 25-hour curfew in the same places of the valley beginning 2:00 AM local time (21:15 GMT on Wednesday) without interval.

The seven opposition political party alliances announced indefinite general strike across the country from April 6 and intensified the agitations.

(Xinhua News Agency April 22, 2006)