Nepal Govt, Maoists set to sign crucial arms accord

NEPAL: Nepal's government and Maoists were scheduled to sign an accord Tuesday mandating the United Nations to begin monitoring rebel weapons and troops, a key element in the two sides' peace process.

"The talks have been very progressive and we are confident that the agreement on arms management will be reached on Tuesday," Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula told AFP.

The former rebels and government signed a landmark peace deal last week that will see the Maoists join the government after placing their army and weapons in camps under UN monitoring.

"The management of Maoist arms is a very sensitive issue. Over the past few days, we have been consulting with the Maoists and UN representatives to reach this crucial agreement," Sitaula said.

Soldiers have already started gathering at the sites and the government Monday pledged a further 1.3 million dollars - on top of an initial grant of 945,000 dollars - to the Maoists for their camps.

KATHMANDU, Tuesday, AFP.