The Nepali King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has called on all willing political parties to come forth to fully activate the stalled democratic process in the greater interest of the nation.

The King said this in a message to the nation on the occasion of the 56th National Democracy Day Sunday.

"Let us listen to others, put across our views, do away with discord and enhance mutual understanding, let us consolidate peace and democracy," the King said.

The King also stressed that those who have been misguided should, without further delay, enter the mainstream of peace and multi-party democracy, eschewing the path of violence and destruction.

The King said that in spite of the apparent adverse environment, the Nepalese people have demonstrated their faith in the power of the ballot during the municipal elections held on Feb. 8.

Noting that the nation seeks solidarity amongst all who have faith in multi-party democracy to formulate a mechanism which ensures that peace and democracy are never again jeopardized, the King said democracy could be re-energized with the activation of all representative bodies through the electoral process in the coming days as well.

On the eve of the Democracy Day, top leaders of the mainstream political parties vowed to "continue the struggle for people's sovereignty and complete democracy."

Meanwhile, the anti-government forces announced a new series of protest programs that will last till April.

The general strike will entail nationwide closure of educational institutions, markets, manufacturing units and factories and disruption of transport service, the guerrilla said in a statement.

Source: Xinhua