Nepal Maoists begin handing in their weapons

KATHMANDU, Jan 17 (Reuters) The United Nations began today the delicate task of accepting and registering weapons from Nepal's Maoists, two days after the former rebels joined an interim parliament.

''The registration and storing of arms has commenced and everything is proceeding in a very orderly and calm way,'' U N spokesman Kieran Dwyer told Reuters.

The Maoist guns will be stored in sealed, metal containers and monitored around the clock.

Dwyer said all combatants had to complete a form giving their personal details, rank and for how long they had been working in the Maoist army.

''Some of them don't have the weapons. And those who do have to show their weapons to the U N registration team that registers the details. Then the combatant ... puts the weapon in the container,'' he said.

''It is not a surrender. It is storing the weapons.'' The work started at a Maoist camp in Chitwan, 80 km (50 miles) south of Kathmandu, and is expected to continue there for several days, but not weeks, he said. U N monitors will start work in other camps later.

In November, the government and Maoists signed a landmark peace pact declaring an end to a decade-old conflict against the monarchy in which more than 13,000 people died.

Under the deal, 83 Maoist nominees have taken their seats in an interim legislature along with mainstream politicians.

REUTERS MS HT1558