UN special representative meets Nepali PM, guerrilla top leader

The United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan's special representative in Nepal, Ian Martin, on Monday met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and guerrilla top leader Prachanda separately in Kathmandu and discussed the world body's role in arms management in the country.

During the meetings, Martin acquired information about the on- going peace talks between the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) government and the guerrillas.

During his meeting with Prachanda, Martin said that the UN was ready to provide its assistance regarding the arms management of both the state and the guerrillas as per the agreement between the SPA and the guerrillas, according to Dev Gurung, a member of the guerrilla talks team.

Martin also met with the members of both the government and the guerrilla talks team and discussed the modalities of the management of the arms and armies and the UN's role in this process.

He also urged the government and the guerrillas to reach cease- fire agreement.

Source: Xinhua