Nepal king stripped of most powers
 

King Gyanendra of Nepal has been stripped much of his power and privileges by the parliament that he recently reinstated, leaving the king a ceremonial monarch.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, sworn in by Gyanendra less than three weeks ago, on Thursday presented the declaration to the parliament that also makes Nepal a secular state, no longer a Hindu kingdom.

The king is removed as the supreme commander of the army, which is now known as the Nepal Army, not the Royal Nepal Army. The prime minister is now in command and the cabinet chooses the army chief.

King Gyanendra loses his tax-free status and is subject to the law, which means he could be ordered to testify in court or before the parliament.

The parliament has taken over control of the purse strings and will determine the king's budget.

"It reflects the aspirations of the people and respects the sacrifices of the people who were martyred during the movement," Koirala said, according to Reuters, as he tabled the resolution, referring to weeks of mass protests against King Gyanendra.

"Now no one can dare underestimate this. I urge people to remain alert and rise against anyone who tries to interfere in this and undermine this," Koirala said, speaking in Nepali.

Nepal citizens will also soon be singing a different tune, as the declaration calls for a change in the country's national anthem.

The sudden collapse of King Gyanendra's power followed weeks of bloody protests that ended last month when he agreed to give up his powers and restore parliament that he disbanded on October 4, 2002.