Nepal king promises elections in 2007

KATHMANDU, Wednesday (Reuters) - Nepal's King Gyanendra, condemned at home and abroad for seizing power eight months ago, said on Wednesday he would hold parliamentary elections by April, 2007 - five years later than planned.

In a message to the nation on the Hindu festival of Dasain, Gyanendra urged the world community to help conduct dignified, free and fair polls.

"We have commanded the Election Commission to conduct elections to the House of Representatives within the (Nepali) year 2063 B.S. (by mid-April 2007)," he said.

King Gyanendra also urged Maoist rebels to end their revolt to topple the monarchy and to join the political mainstream. "We would like to make it clear that the door to joining the political mainstream is open to all," King Gyanendra said.

The latest announcement falls far short of demands by the seven main political parties protesting to press for the restoration of parliament and an all-party government to hold peace talks with the Maoists before any elections.

"The security situation has not changed since the king took over. How can the elections be possible?" asked Ram Chandra Poudel, a leader of the main Nepali Congress party.

The royalist government has already announced municipal elections for February 8..