King Gyanendra of Nepal has marked the first anniversary of closing parliament with a vow to continue with local elections due to be held next week.

In a 20-minute televised address to the nation, Gyanendra promised to push ahead with next week's local elections, which he says are part of a road map to restore democracy, ahead of parliamentary elections being held in April of next year.

His speech drew an angry response from the parties sidelined last year by the king's power grab, who say the country is being pushed further into chaos.

King Gyanendra (AP file photo)
King Gyanendra (AP file photo)

The parties had planned protest rallies, but they were thwarted by a heavy police presence.

Gyanendra sacked the government on Feb. 1, 2005, claiming it was corrupt, had failed to hold elections and had not managed to defeat a decade-long Maoist insurgency.

After taking over he declared a state of emergency and cut off telecommunications.

Political parties and student groups have since staged periodic protests, including rallies 10 days ago which sparked running battles between police and activists in Kathmandu.

Also on Wednesday, the military in Nepal reported that at least 19 members of the security forces have been killed in clashes with Maoist rebels in the west of the country. Dozens of others are said to be missing.

with files from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation