UN Secretary-General not expecting UNMIN's mandate extension

Kathmandu, May 17 : United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has remarked that he does not anticipate the extension of the term of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).

In a new report, which was made public on Friday, he added that both his Special Representative and Resident Coordinator will provide whatever the new government will request.

"These are critical times for long-term stability in Nepal, and the UN will remain by the side of the people and leaders of Nepal in the historic tasks of political and social transformation on which they have embarked," Ban said.

The Secretary-General mentioned that he is encouraged by the commitment and cooperation that the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M), the largest party in the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, called on other political parties to remain focused on Nepal's long-term interests.

"Short-term differences should not distract them from governing by consensus and from cooperating in the vital task of constitution-making," he said.

ANI