Former Nepal king to leave palace

Nepal's former king Gyanendra has spent his last night in the palace compound in Kathmandu which has been home to the royal family for more than 100 years.

He is to move to a new residence in a forest outside the city, which the government says will be a temporary one until he can find a new private home.

The palace is to become a museum and Gyanendra's crown and royal sceptre are expected to become government property.

Last month, Nepal's Maoist-led assembly voted to abolish the monarchy.

Gyanendra Shah, now an ordinary citizen, will give a press conference before he and his wife Komal, the former queen, move to Nagarjun, in the north-western suburbs of Kathmandu, officials say.

Correspondents say that the residence at Nagarjun will barely be a comedown for the former king.

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