Kathmandu: Nepal`s embattled government
has asked the UN to extend the term of the UNMIN, which is
tasked to m onitor the peace process, as the 22-party coalition
set up a top panel to break the political deadlock in the
country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has written to the UN
Security Council (UNSC), asking it to extend UNMIN`s term
until May 15, 2010.
"We have dispatched a letter to our Permanent
Representative office in New York, asking the UNSC for another
97-day stay for UNMIN," a senior official was quoted as saying
by the Kantipur online today.
The tenure of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN)
that is monitoring the peace process in the country since
January 23, 2007 will expire on January 23, 2010.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal had presented a
112-day action plan on Tuesday, proposing April 30 as the
deadline for the completion of integration and rehabilitation
process of former Maoist combatants.
"On December 24, the Cabinet had decided to ask for
extension of UNMIN`s term till April-end. The decision was
reviewed in line with the 112-day action plan for integration
and rehabilitation of former Maoist fighters," the unnamed
official said.
UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon is likely to table
the progress and prospects of the peace process in Nepal at
the Security Council on January 11, the report said.
On January 15, the five permanent members of the UNSC
will hold a follow-up discussion on the Nepal reconciliation
process, which has been stalled amid deadlock among the
22-party alliance government and the main opposition party
UCPN-Maoist, it said.
PTI
