Nepal's King says Security Improved Under Emergency Rule

Nepal's King Gyanendra says security across the country has improved since he seized power and imposed a state of emergency more than two months ago.

In a Nepali new year's day message Thursday, the king also said he plans to hold municipal elections within the next year. He did not say when parliamentary elections would be held.

The monarch said citizens have experienced "a steady improvement" in the law and order situation because of, what he called, the efficiency of dedicated security forces.

But Maoist rebels have continued to attack security forces and other government targets since the king dismissed the government February 1.

The king had said the government failed to curb the bloody insurgency.

Wednesday, Nepal's private schools said that Maoists have told them to shut down indefinitely or face attacks.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.