To answer your comments questions - The ordinary people HATE the King. They don't trust him, they think he murdered his brother, they think he doesn't care about the people and gets rich off their backs. That he's ordered troops to deal so harshly with demonstrations has been the nail in his coffin.

You've got to understand that he didn't seize power because it was the only way to deal with the Maoist situation. The Maoists were his excuse for a power grab. Political 'disappearances' or arrests are commonplace - journalists, politicians he doesn't agree with, human rights workers. People have been living under a despot, and they don't trust him to wield his powers wisely or with concern for the people.

Also, corruption and cronyism is endemic - this is the 7th poorest country in the world, with a fabulously wealthy Royal Family.

People said to me, 'Just go now, King'. They see no role for him in future. When I first arrived people were talking about wanting democracy, now they are talking about wanting a republic.

I've just been down to Ratna Park. A big park in the centre of Kathmandu - there are thousands, probably tens of thousands of people there to celebrate their victory. Speeches, chanting, flags, etc. A pretty party atmosphere. I was talking to people and they were saying, we have democracy now, but we want a republic, it will take more time.

I've seen that the SPA have accepted the King's offer and the Maoists rejected it. This is indeed a problem. This would leave the Maoists out in the cold - which is not actually what the people want - they want the Maoists brought into mainstream politics. Also, the King hasn't addressed the question of his control of the Army - as long as he controls the Army he can do this again. And of course he hasn't addressed the question of him fucking off and Nepal becoming a republic.

I'm amazed actually that the SPA have accepted the offer. I suspect the people are going to feel pretty sold out.

Apparently the security forces are blocking the routes into the city again. So there'll probably be demos/parties on the Ring Road again. In fact I might go out and see while it's still light.

Oooo, forgot to say, I just got interviewed for BBC Scotland news at lunchtime (I was interviewed for Good Morning Scotland earlier) - Stephen passed on my details. Hopefully I managed to correct some of the mistakes that keep getting made in the media, although of course I keep thinking of the things I should have said. Don't know if they'll use it - I was probably babbling and not leaving long enough pauses to edit with. But at least my parents can't hear it and have further kittens.