UN urges Maoists, Nepal govt to agree on arms monitoring

UN Head of the Mission to Nepal, Staffan de Mistura, speaks with the media after meeting with Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala in Kathmandu yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

"It is very important to have urgently on the side of all of the Nepalese interlocutors a common understanding, especially regarding the issue of arms management," said Staffan DeMistura, head of a UN mission invited to Nepal to guide implementation of a ceasefire and peace process started in June.

The UN envoys, experts on elections, police and human rights, arrived Thursday to offer advice to the new government and rebels who joined hands in protests that led to King Gyanendra giving up absolute power in April.

"The United Nations is focusing on Nepal, and Nepal has got a very special moment in order to make the peace process work," DeMistura said in a statement.