The UN Security Council agreed to a request by Nepal today to extend a peace mission by six months amid stability concerns as the Himalayan nation attempts to rehabilitate Maoist fighters.
The integration of more than 19,000 former rebels, housed in UN-supervised camps, with the regular army is essential to capping a 2006 peace deal that ended a civil war and brought the rebels to the political mainstream.
The Maoists and the government have vowed to complete the integration process within six months, but differences remain about how that is to be achieved.
The United Nations was asked to monitor the peace process and assist in elections for a constituent assembly held in April. The Security Council has extended the mission until January 23rd. As of April 1st, the mission had 965 people, of which up to 186 are arms monitors.
The Security Council agreed with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's view that no further extensions of the mission should be needed and endorsed Mr
Mr Ban's "recommendations for a phased, gradual, drawdown and withdrawal" of the mission.
Nepal's lawmakers picked the country's first president on Monday, rejecting a candidate backed by former Maoist rebels.
It was the first major vote in a special assembly since lawmakers decided in May to abolish the 239-year-old monarchy and declare a republic.
Reuters