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KATHMANDU: A United Nations mission to assist Nepal's troubled peace process is likely to be extended by six months, a senior UN official said Friday.
"There has been a cabinet discussion that has agreed in principle to request a six-month extension but subject to further consultation amongst the seven parties," said UN peace mission chief Ian Martin.
He was referring to Nepal's six mainstream parties and the former rebel Maoists.
As part of last year's landmark peace deal that ended a decade of bloody civil war, the world body was invited to assist with twice cancelled crucial polls intended to decide Nepal's political future.
In addition, the UN is monitoring thousands of ex-guerrillas confined to camps around the country.
The initial one-year term agreed between Nepal and the UN ends in January, but the peace process remains stalled amid wrangling between political parties and Maoists.
The UN has said it would like to take an increased role in the peace process amid local media reports that powerful southern neighbour India does not want to see an increased role for the UN.
Martin repeated an offer for increased assistance on Friday.
"The United Nations Mission in Nepal is able to offer further support to some key aspects of the peace process without in anyway compromising the Nepali ownership of the process," he said.
Last year's peace deal ended a bloody civil war that left at least 13,000 people dead, but the former rebel Maoists have struggled to move from feared jungle fighters to mainstream political actors.
They stormed out of government in September after a demand for an immediate abolition of the monarchy was not met, and continue to face accusations of strong arm tactics including abduction, murder and extortion.
- AFP/yb
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