Just read that Nepal's King Gyanendra has backed down and agreed to let the people choose a prime minister, hope it goes well for them.
Even allowing for my monarchist bias, this looks to me like somebody thrown into a role he probably never expected to occupy trying to solve a difficult situation against severe opposition - note that the King sacked a Prime Minister for trying to [i:05c059a7fc]delay[/i:05c059a7fc] elections - also note that the opposition political parties reached an agreement with [i:05c059a7fc]armed rebels[/i:05c059a7fc] to oppose the King - not exactly a good sign for the rule of law if they form a government!
No single man, unelected by the people, should have control of his country's army. I wish them luck. Equally I hope that whatever new system arises, forged by violence and chaos in this way, somehow manages to be stable and just. But unfortunately I doubt it, at least for quite some time. Thankfully many of the politicians concerned seem intelligent and rational, so fingers crossed.
