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Nepal's Former King Given Official Notice to Vacate Palace


Nepal's government has formally ordered King Gyanendra to leave the royal palace within the next two weeks.

Officials say the order was delivered to the palace Friday, just two days after Nepal's Constituent Assembly voted overwhelmingly (560 to four) to abolish the 239-year-old monarchy.

Also Friday, a bomb exploded near a rally in Kathmandu where Maoist leader Prachanda was speaking. Police say no one was hurt in the blast, the latest in a series of explosions in the capital.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility.

The Communist Party of Nepal, former Maoist rebels, is set to lead the country's next government. It emerged as the largest political force after April's elections for a special assembly to draft a new constitution.

Security around the king's palace has been increased after at least five people were injured when they clashed with police Thursday. Police used tear gas to disperse a crowd demanding that the former king leave immediately.

Government officials have gone to the palace to take down the flag of the royal family and replace it with a national flag.

Lawmakers say the palace will be turned into a museum.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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