India leads foreign tributes

Britain's Prince Charles: "shocked and saddened"

Tributes and messages of condolence for the Nepalese people have been pouring in from foreign leaders.

Nepal's southern neighbour India has declared three days of national mourning after 11 members of Nepal's royal family - including King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya - were killed by the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Dipendra.

Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh said "the government and people of India are stunned and deeply shocked at the tragic and untimely demise of His Majesty the King of Nepal, Her Majesty the Queen, and other members of the royal family."

Kofi Annan appealed for calm

"As a close neighbour and friend, India conveys its heartfelt condolences to the mourning nation," Mr Singh said in a statement.

Traffic along Nepal's border with India has come to a standstill. Correspondents trying to enter Nepal from the Indian state of West Bengal were stopped at the border point by Nepalese customs officials. No reasons were given.

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke of a "dreadful tragedy".

"The royal family of Nepal have many ties with this country," Mr Blair said. "Through the Gurkhas we have a particular respect and affinity for the people of Nepal and I think it is only right to express our deep sympathy and condolences to them over what has happened."

The United States' President George W Bush said he was "deeply saddened and shocked" by the deaths.

"Our prayers are with the government and people of Nepal," he said.

In his tribute, Australian Prime Minister John Howard described King Birendra as a "pillar of stability in Nepal's transition to democracy".

"It is my earnest hope that peace and order will be maintained in Nepal. This will be important for Nepal and for the stability of its wider region," Mr Howard said.

The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has also issued an appeal for calm.

Indian FM: Three days of national mourning

In a statement he said he was "deeply saddened by this tragedy" and called for "calm and stability in this difficult period."

Singapore has also expressed shock at the killings.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto characterised Friday's killing as "an unbelievable incident", saying "the people's respect for the king had been enhanced in the country's democratisation process".

Pope John Paul II sent a telegram to the new regent expressing condolences to the regent himself, the government and the people of Nepal.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra sent letters of condolence to the Nepali Government.

"It was an incident that shocked the whole world," Mr Thaksin wrote.