Britain pledges 8 mn dollar aid for Nepal peace process

Kathmandu, Sep 19 (UNI) Britain has pledged 8 million dollars to support Nepal's fragile peace process.

UK International Development Minister for Asian Affairs Shahid Malik extended the assistance during his meeting with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala here today, Kantipuronline reported.

The pledged amount will be mobilised through the Peace Fund set up by the government to support the peace process, Prime Minister's foreign affairs advisor Suresh Raj Chalise said.

Mr Malik termed ''unfortunate'' the Maoist move to quit the eight-party government and expressed the hope that a new agreement would soon be reached.

Speaking at a meeting with the local eight-party leaders yesterday, the UK Minister was of the opinion that if the Constituent Assembly elections scheduled for November 22 were not held, then the political parties would not only lose the faith of Nepalese citizens but also of the international community.

''Such a condition would be tragic for Nepal,'' Mr Malik had said.

UNI