Annan seeks more talks with Nepal on UN aid plan

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 25 (Reuters) Nepal's government and Maoist rebels agree on the main elements of how the United Nations can help their country recover after a decade of conflict, but more work is needed before UN aid can begin, the United Nations said today.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked veteran diplomat Ian Martin of Britain to begin consulting with all concerned parties ''in order to build on the common understanding that now exists, so that detailed planning for UN assistance may proceed,'' a UN spokesman said in New York.

Nepal first requested UN help in July and a UN team visited the country last month to start off the process.

The team reported back to Annan that both sides agree they need UN. help in monitoring the conduct of fighters on both sides during the current cease-fire, the ''management of arms,'' monitoring human rights and electoral assistance, the spokesman said.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had invited the world body to monitor arms held by rebel and government forces ahead of elections expected next year for an assembly that would write a new constitution for Nepal.

The Maoists have been fighting since 1996 to topple the monarchy, a conflict that has killed more than 13,000 people.

Further turmoil was triggered when King Gyanendra dissolved the government last year and assumed absolute power, vowing to crush the Maoist revolt.

The monarch was forced to step back after weeks of often violent street protests in April, led by the political parties and supported by the rebels. The government now says it is ready to include the Maoists in a new interim government, but the two sides have yet to agree on a plan for disarming them.

The Maoists so far have refused to surrender their weapons and say they will keep their 36,000 fighters in camps under UN supervision only if the army does the same.

REUTERS VJ BST0138