Nepal writes UNSC for UNMIN's term extension

Nepal government has formally written to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) requesting to extend the terms of UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for next four month.

Nepal's permanent representative to the UN Gyan Chandra Acharya on Friday filed the letter on behalf of Nepal to extend the term of UNMIN till May 15.

The current and the fourth extended term of the UNMIN entrusted to facilitate integration of Maoists combatants with national army and conclude ongoing peace process in the country is expiring on January 23.

Officials at Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a UNSC meeting scheduled for this week will take the decision after holding discussion on the letter.

UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon is likely to table the progress and prospects of the peace process at the Security Council on Jan. 11. The P-5 countries (permanent members of United Nations Security Council) are expected to hold a follow-up discussion on the Nepal process on January 15.

The UNMIN has been supervising and monitoring arms and armed personnel of Nepal Army and former Maoist combatants since Jan. 23, 2007.

Though UNMIN's term was extended in six-month slots in the past, the government decided to extend the term only by four months this time with its plan to complete integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants within April 30.

Earlier, the government had announced to review the mandate of the UNMIN in the changed context. However, no decision has been taken to this effect yet, officials said.

- Asian Tribune -