Nepal royalists rally for monarchy

The protest marked the first major demonstration against Parliament8217;s decision last month to end the 293-year-old monarchy and declare the country a republic 8212; one of the key demands of former Maoist rebels.

8220;For a long time we remained silent and were spectators to political developments, but now we8217;re forced to take to the streets to save the nation,8221; party leader Kamal Thapa told the crowd.

The Maoists quit the Government in September in a row over the future of the monarchy and other issues, but returned late last month after lawmakers agreed to abolish the institution.

The ultra-Leftists, who waged a bloody decade-long revolt to topple the monarchy, formally ended their insurgency in late 2006 when they concluded a landmark peace deal with Nepal8217;s mainstream parties.

King Gyanendra has already been stripped of most of his powers. He was forced to end 14 months of direct rule in April 2006, following mass street protests staged by mainstream parties and the Maoists.