KATHMANDU, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Nepali King Gyanendra declared on Friday evening to dissolve the Council of Ministers, or cabinet, formed under his chairmanship on Feb. 1, 2005 and return his power of the state to the Nepalese people.

    Addressing the nation through state-run Radio Nepal and Nepal Television at 7:00 p.m. local time (1315 GMT), the king declared to dissolve the cabinet and asked the seven opposition political party alliance to recommend the name of new prime minister as soon as possible.

    "According to the constitution of Nepal, we have returned the power of the state to the people," the king said in the royal proclamation, adding, "the present cabinet will continue to function until the new government to be formed."

    The proclamation came after two-week-long nationwide general strike announced by seven opposition political parties and prolonged curfew in the Kathmandu Valley by the government.

    The king dissolved the coalition government led by then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and took power of the state on Feb. 1,2005.

    Following the King's announcement Friday, the Nepali government declared to extend the curfew in the Kathmandu Valley by another four hours till midnight (1815 GMT) Friday, state-run Radio Nepal said. The curfew began at 9:00 a.m. (0315 GMT) on the day.

    The District Administration Offices of Kathmandu and Lalitpur, extending the announced curfew, cited possible violence and loss of property during agitation being carried out by the seven opposition political parties. Enditem