Friday, July 28 2006 17:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Marking a new milestone in their decade-old armed struggle for a republic, Nepal's Maoist guerrillas Friday began an official dialogue with the United Nations on arms control, reviving hopes of progress in peace talks with the government that hit a barrier after the rebels refused to lay down arms.

A UN mission headed by Staffan de Mistura began initial consultations with the Maoist leadership in the capital Friday to forge a common understanding.

The UN officials would also meet the chief of the Nepal Army, Gen Pyar Jung Thapa, during the day as well as government officials, including Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Defence Secretary Bishnu Upreti.

De Mistura, who arrived in Kathmandu on a nine-day assessment visit Thursday, said his team would consult all relevant actors in Nepal in order to forge a common understanding about the scope and nature of the UN role in the peace process in Nepal.

The mission's presence demonstrates the commitment of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to respond positively to the invitation to assist Nepal in the peace process, he said.

The UN delegation's visit is the result of an agreement between the Maoists and the seven-party government of Nepal to ask the world body to monitor the ongoing ceasefire for human rights violations, watch the armies of both sides to ensure they are not resuming arms and finally, when the kingdom goes to election to choose between monarchy and a republic, to observe if the poll is free and fair.

However, despite the pact, the rebels and the government developed serious differences over the arms issue.

While the guerrillas say they themselves will manage their arms during the ceasefire and require the UN only to monitor that they are keeping the faith, the state has asked the world body to manage the rebels' arms as well.

The guerrillas are wary of laying down their arms before they join the government, saying they fear the army would take advantage of the disarmament to neutralise them.

After three rounds of negotiations, the peace process hit a wall due to differences on the arms issue. Angered by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's letter to Annan, asking for UN help to decommission the Maoists' People's Liberation Army, rebel leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda sent a letter to the UN chief this week, outlining the Maoist perspective.

The fourth round of peace talks, to have been held earlier this month, was put off due to the differences.