Nepal's government will nationalize the Nepalese property of King Gyanendra and his family, the latest curbs to his powers before a new constitution is written that will decide whether the Himalayan kingdom becomes a republic.

The Council of Ministers yesterday agreed to form a committee that will work out the procedures for taking over the king's lands and properties, Nepalnews.com reported.

The government will take unspecified action against the king for publishing a message last week that lawmakers said was ``unconstitutional'' because it interfered in the process of holding elections in June.

King Gyanendra was forced to end his absolute rule last April in the face of mass demonstrations and strikes led by political parties and backed by rebels fighting to establish a communist republic. The government and the rebel Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) signed a peace accord last November, agreeing to elect an assembly that will settle the future of Gyanendra's 238-year-old dynasty.

Parliament last week called for curbs on the king for making a statement to the nation Feb. 19 marking Democracy Day, in which he defended his decision to declare emergency rule in February 2005.

The king said he was ``compelled' to take power in 2005 because the prime minister at the time was unable to conduct elections in the timeframe set down by the constitution. The restoration of parliament was a result of his wish that the Nepalese people govern themselves, Gyanendra said.