The United Nations (UN) is to begin the registration and storage of arms and registration of the combatants of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (formerly known as guerrilla) beginning early next week, a leading media group's website, nepalnews.com, reported on Saturday.

After the meeting of the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) held Friday afternoon, the Office of the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary General issued a statement confirming that it will begin next week "the registration and storage of arms and the registration of the CPN army combatants at the cantonment sites under UN's supervision."

According to the website, the JMCC meeting was held Friday to finalize the arrangements.

There are currently 30 monitors in Nepal -- with one team operating out of Nepalgunj and the other from Kathmandu. The full advance team of 35 monitors will be in country by early next week, the statement said.

"The registration process will have a number of components. At each main cantonment site, a facility will be established where UN monitors, those assisting with registration and the Interim Task Force can carry out their duties. UN monitors will oversee the registration process," the statement said.

"They will be assisted in this effort by seven registration teams organized by the UN Development Program. The Interim Task Force will also be on hand during the registration, and their presence will allow for 24-hour monitoring of the arms storage containers under the single key arrangement," the statement added.

The UN has informed that the full advance contingent of 25 electoral experts will be on the ground this month.

Meanwhile in New York, Ian Martin, the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal, said, "The peace process has reached yet another key juncture, and we look forward to continued progress on both of these fronts."

Source: Xinhua