Nepal King Celebrates Birthday

July 9, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Gulf Daily News

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=187366&Sn=WORL&IssueID=30111

Nepal's embattled King Gyanendra greeted just 1,000 supporters at his pink-tinged palace to celebrate his 60th birthday yesterday after weekend protests and clashes against the Himalayan monarch.

The turnout for Gyanendra's birthday - a palace tea party - was low and the mood subdued compared with celebrations in previous years, with ambassadors from the US, the European Union and India noticeably absent.

Gyanendra, revered by his supporters as a reincarnation of a Hindu god, faces an uncertain fate after he was stripped of his powers when he was forced to abandon direct rule in April last year.