KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Nepal's Parliament stripped King Gyanendra of his power to veto legislation, the latest step to curtail his authority and turn him into a figurehead.The new law endorsed by legislators late Saturday scraps the king's right to reject bills and laws passed by Parliament, Speaker Subash Nemwang said Sunday. Lawmakers also will no longer need to seek the king's approval before signing a bill into law, he said. "This regulation has eliminated any and all authority the king had in Parliament. From now on the Parliament is independent to draft new laws and enforce them," Nemwang said.
It was the latest in a string of laws enacted by Parliament to dramatically cut Gyanendra's authority after weeks of protests against his dictatorial rule forced him to relinquish powers in April.