SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEVELOPMENTS LEADING TO RESIGNATION OF NEPAL’S

PRIME MINISTER; APPEALS FOR STRICT ADHERENCE TO PEACE AGREEMENT

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General has learned of the resignation of the Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”.  While he is saddened by developments leading to this resignation, he is encouraged by the Maoist party’s assurances of its commitment to the peace process, including continued participation in the drafting of the constitution.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for restraint and political consensus.  He appeals to all concerned to strictly adhere to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and related accords, especially the Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies (AMMAA), which stipulates clear and specific restrictions on the Nepal Army and the Maoist army.

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For information media • not an official record