Peace process in Nepal moving toward critical period: UN official

Kathmandu, Dec 5 (ANI): United Nations Under Secretary General for Political Affairs B Lynn Pascoe has said that Nepal's peace process was moving toward critical period and urged the political leaders to prove their political will by making compromises and resolving issues of integration and rehabilitation, power-sharing and the drafting of a new constitution.

Wrapping up his two-day visit to Nepal, Pascoe assured that the UN would continue supporting the peace process through its agencies even after the withdrawal of UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) on January 15, Xinhua reports.

He further stated that the process would be under observation of the UN the country would be an agenda of the Security Council for three years even after the exit of the UNMIN.

"During this visit, which came two months after my last visit to Nepal, we had good meetings with political leaders, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps. I think it is evident to all of us that the peace process in Nepal is moving into a critical period," Pascoe had said on Saturday.

"This makes it all the more important that the leaders of Nepal move very quickly to resolve the issues of integration and rehabilitation, power-sharing and the drafting of a new constitution," he added.

Pascoe said that that the UN had made a major effort with the peace process in Nepal, and would continue to work closely with the country as the process moves forward.

The term of UNMIN in Nepal ends on January 15. The Security Council had extended its term for the 7th time for four more months on September 15. (ANI)