Restore democracy: US to Nepal

The United States Tuesday urged King Gyanendra to restore democracy in Nepal, saying one year palace rule has made security situation in the Himalayan kingdom more "precarious."

It has also "emboldened Maoist insurgents and widened division between political parties and the King," US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said in a statement.

The US remains particularly concerned by the Maoist insurgency, which presents the most immediate threat to a peaceful and prosperous Nepal, he said. "We urge the King to return to democracy by initiating a dialogue with the country's political parties," he said.

"After one year of unsuccessful authoritarian rule, this is the best way to address the Maoist insurgency and to build a brighter future of Nepal's people," the statement said.