Nepali King to seek foreign support for power grab on first post-coup trip

KATHMANDU, Tuesday (AFP) Nepal's King Gyandendra will seek international support for his power grab when he attends the Asia-Africa summit in Jakarta this week, his first foreign trip since taking charge, Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey said.

"The visit will "help Nepal muster international support... ," Pandey was quoted as saying by the state-run Rising Nepal newspaper Tuesday.

"His majesty's planned meeting with leaders from Asia and Africa will help rebuild Nepal's image in the international arena," Pandey said.

The king, who has faced harsh international criticism for dismissing the government February 1 and governing with the help of a royal-appointed council of ministers, is due to address the summit Friday, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

"He will explain to the world the reasons for his political actions that are to control Maoist terrorists and will seek international cooperation," the official said. World powers, apart from China and Pakistan that have described the events in Nepal as an internal matter, have largely cold-shouldered the kingdom since the royal takeover.