New York, NY (BBN)– The Security Council on Friday urged Nepal’s new Government and its other major political parties to cooperate in a spirit of compromise to ensure the peace process in the South Asian country continues.
In remarks to the press, Ambassador Jorge Urbina of Costa Rica, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, said the 15-member panel reaffirmed its support for the peace process and welcomed the progress made so far.
Nepal endured a decade-long civil war that claimed an estimated 13,000 lives until the government and the Maoists signed a peace deal in 2006 and conducted Constituent Assembly elections earlier this year.
In May, the nation abolished its 240-year-old monarchy and declared itself a republic. Ram Baran Yadav was subsequently elected as the country’s first President.
The UN has been assisting Nepal in its peace process through a special political mission, known as UNMIN, set up in January 2007.
As part of its mandate, the mission monitors the management of arms and armed personnel of both the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) and the Nepal Army, and assists in monitoring ceasefire arrangements.
BBN/SI/SSR/AD-08November08-4:05 PM (BST)
