The monarch made the announcement over the state-run television, accusing the government of failing to conduct parliamentary elections and restoring peace in the country. He denied his takeover was a coup, though soldiers surrounded the houses of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and other government leaders. "A new Cabinet will be formed under my leadership," the king said, accusing political parties of plunging the country into crisis. "This will restore peace and effective democracy in this country within the next three years." Land-line and mobile phones in the capital, Katmandu, have been shut down.