Kathmandu, Mar 24: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has expressed serious concern over the increased fighting between security forces and Maoist rebels in Nepal. A press statement issued by the spokesman for the Secretary-General said Annan was disturbed by the recent escalation of violence in Nepal, where continued instability and conflict is having a devastating impact on the lives of ordinary people. ''Civilian casualties and serious human rights violations are a routine occurrence, and the country's economic and social development is being seriously hampered,'' the statement said. Annan appealed to the government of Nepal and the communist party of Nepal (Maoist) to take immediate steps to end the fighting and resume the peace process with the participation of all political and civil forces in the country. He reiterated his offer of help in finding a solution to the conflict in any manner the parties consider useful. Annan's statement comes after the bloodiest encounter between Nepal's security forces and rebels in Myagdi where security forces claimed to have killed over 500 Maoists. Bureau Report