Leaders of the Seven Party Allaince (SPA) Friday vowed to continue with their peaceful protest and rejected the king's offer for dailogue with political parties. "The king's message is just the formality and it has not addressed the burning problems plaguing the nation at present. The peaceful agitation will continue," said K.P.Oli, senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist. In a new year message the king today renewed his call for talks with all political parties and said that general elections should be conducted without any delay. "We believe that there is no alternative to multiparty democracy in the 21st century and the verdict of the ballot alone is legitimate, the King said, adding, "... we, therefore, call upon all political parties to join in a dialogue, which we have always advocated, to bear the responsibility of and contribute towards activating the multiparty democratic polity," the king said. "There is so much violence and bloodshed going on and people are protesting all over the country demanding restoration of people's sovereignty but he is acting as if nothing has happened," Oli said. Thousands of people have come into the streets demanding restoration of democracy across the country over the past week as the alliance intensified its protests to pressurize the king to give up power. At least four people have died, hundreds arrested and many others injured as the protestors and the security forces were engaged in violent clashes during demonstrations nationwide. "No one should have confusion in what the king is trying to do. It is very clear that the king is firm in his own roadmap and he doesn't want to talk with open mind," said Minendra Risal, spokesman of the Nepali Congress-Democratic Party. On Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan through a statement issued by his spokesman in New York said that he "is more than ever concerned about the deteriorating situation." Annan also reiterated his call for an inclusive national dialogue of all Nepalese political forces and for King Gyanendra to take "courageous steps" to find a way avoid further bloodshed. "It is quite clear that the Nepalese people want a swift end to the conflict and instability and the immediate restoration of democracy. The loss of life and denial of legitimate rights should end without delay," Annan said. International pressure has been mounting on king to reach out to the political parties as the United States, India, European Union and Japan expressed concern over the deteiorating political situation in Nepal last week. The US embassy in Kathmandu closed down its visa section and reduced staffing in its mission citing security reasons. The move came after a wave of violent protests in the country. US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack earlier this week said that King Gyanendra's failure to bring the parties back into a process to restore democracy has compounded the problem. "As a friend of Nepal, we must state that King Gyanendra's decision fourteen months ago to impose direct palace rule in Nepal has failed in every regard. The demonstrations, deaths, arrests, and Maoist attacks in the past few days have shown there is more insecurity, not less," said Sean McCormack in a statement. "He has failed to recognize the spirit of people's sentiment who have taken to the streets to get back their sovereignty. We will continue our movement unless complete democracy is restored," said Krishna Prasad Sitaula, spokesman of the Nepali Congress party. Meanwhile, CPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda today said the king's address has shown "feudal stubbornness" by ignoring the burning issues of the country and people. “Now it is clear that the Nepali people's wish for democracy and peace will be fulfilled only after taking the ongoing movement to the pinnacle of success,” Prachanda said. The Maoist leader also reiterated his commitment to work as per the understanding reached with the seven parties and develop common programmes.