Nepal to request extension of UNMIN term

Kathmandu, Nov 26 (UNI) Special Representative of United Nations Secretary General Ian Martin met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and discussed the extension of tenure of United Nations Mission in Nepal's(UNMIN).

The Nepalese Premier Koirala informed the UNs special representative that the government would write to UNMIN formally within a few days requesting for the extension of UNMIN's tenure.

The meeting took place at Balutwar, the official residence of the Nepalese Prime Minister.

The seven party alliance led by the Nepalese Congress (NC) and the cabinet has already endorsed the extension of UNMIN's by six months and the government would formalise it within a few days, sources at the PM's official residence was quoted as saying to Mr Martin.

They also discussed the present political issues, second phase of verification of Maoist 'People's Liberation Army' (PLA) and management of cantonments.

''I briefed the PM about the ongoing process for the second phase of verification of Maoist combatants and about UMMIN's activities,'' said Mr Ian Martin.

UNMIN has been working as a major negotiator of Nepal's peace process for one year and is instrumental in monitoring the comprehensive peace agreement between the government and the CPN-Maoist and the Maoist cantonments and verifying the PLAs.

The tenure of present UNMIN is going to expire on January 22, 2008.

UNI