United Nations: Expressing 'deep concern' over recentattacks against political parties in Nepal, the United Nations haswarmly welcomed planned talks between the Nepalese government and the Madheshisgroup, who live in the dispute-wracked Terai region.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative, Ian Martin,reiterated the importance of entire Nepalese society being involved in thisyear's planned elections, as the Himalayan country seeks to build on lastyear's historic peace deal with the Maoists.

"I am pleased to begin today by welcoming the dialogue that is to takeplace between the Government team and representatives not only of Madhesiorganizations but also of Janajatis," Martin, who also heads the UNPolitical Mission in Nepalsaid in a statement.

"The United Nations has stressed the importance of all groups, includingwomen and Dalits as well as Madhesis and Janajatis, feeling that they will beadequately represented in the historic decisions to be made about the future ofNepalthrough the Constituent Assembly," he said.

Martin also said that despite the recent disturbances in the Terai region in Southern Nepal, UNMIN remained focused on its core taskof managing the arms belonging to the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M)and the Government, as stipulated in the peace deal signed between the twosides last November.

In particular, he said, he was satisfied with the monitoring of weapons at Kailaliand Surkhet in the west, although there was still more work to be done.