Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – The Nepalese people "are celebrating on the streets" following King Gyanendra's announcement that he would cede power, but "there is concern about violence and assaults on public buildings", said Fr Anthony Francis Sharma, the Apostolic Prefect in Nepal.

Contacted by AsiaNews, Fr Sharma's was the initial reaction from Kathmandu to the statement of the monarch, who announced in a press conference that "power may return to the people", calling on the seven opposition parties to choose a new prime minister.

"We are all overjoyed, especially by the end of the violence," said Fr Sharma. "The curfew is still in force but no one is respecting it, as in recent days. Only this time, the order is ignored for a joyful reason."

He added: "The only problem is fear of possible attacks on public buildings, especially here in the capital. We must wait until tomorrow morning, hoping that nothing happens during the night."

The king pledged a return to democratic rule after 16 days of shutdowns and rallies that saw the death of at least 15 people in clashes between protesters and forces of order. The king had seized full powers on 1 February 2005, justifying the decision by citing the need to put an end to the revolt of Maoist rebels that has claimed around 13,000 victims since 1996.