Nepal’s deposed king, Gyanendra, left the palace in Kathmandu on Wednesday night, a fortnight after parliament ended his 240-year-old dynasty, as political parties prepared to name the president and new prime minister.

“I have no intention of leaving the country and will stay in Nepal and contribute to the independence and prosperity of the Nepali nation,” Gyanendra said, addressing his first press conference at the Narayanhity royal palace in Kathmandu.