A year later, an attempted coup by leftists provoked the King to bar political parties, dismiss Parliament and jail legislators.

The alliance had demanded the reversal of constitutional amendments introduced by General Musharraf this year, including one that allows him to dismiss Parliament.

The ensuing prickly negotiations became so protracted that James eventually lost patience and dismissed Parliament on 31 December 1610.

Despite Parliament's protests, however, Charles refused to dismiss his friend, dismissing Parliament instead.

The announcement follows a court ruling that Mr. Lucinschi had the right to dismiss Parliament, which failed four times to pick a new president.

Another clause forbids him to dismiss Parliament while an impeachment proceeding is under way.

August 4 - Neville Chamberlain dismisses Parliament until October 3.

But if Mr. Yeltsin were to dismiss Parliament - which at first glance seems an attractive option - he might be causing himself more harm than good.

But now he has taken full control, dismissing Parliament, putting off new elections and appointing a royalist prime minister over the objections of the major political parties.

The result was that King Sobhuza suspended the constitution, dismissed Parliament, banned all political parties and became an absolute monarch.