July 07, 2007	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 21, 1428

KATHMANDU, July 6: Left-wing student groups in Nepal said on Friday they were determined to spoil embattled King Gyanendra's plans for a public celebration of his 60th birthday this weekend.

Gyanendra, facing the boot after a peace deal brought fiercely republican Maoists into government earlier this year, is planning to grant audiences and hold parties at his pink palace on Saturday and Sunday.

Around 400 students blocked traffic in Kathmandu's centre on Friday and held a noisy rally calling for people not to attend the celebrations. More protests were planned for Saturday.

“Student and youth leaders ... have decided to appeal to all to foil the king's birthday celebrations,” said Gokul Gharti, the general secretary of the All Nepal National Free Students Union.

Pro-royalists, however, said they were also planning a march in support of the monarchy before going to the palace, and the king has asked the government to ensure that his supporters are protected.

But Gyanendra’s position is looking increasingly shaky, and ambassadors from the United States, India, the European Union and elsewhere have already said they would be snubbing invitations from the palace.

The monarchy's fate is set to be decided after crucial elections in November to elect a body that will rewrite the constitution.

—AFP