Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (File photo)

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (File photo)
Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) General Pyar Jung Thapa has expressed the Nepal Army’s full support for the ongoing peace process.

A press release issued by the Directorate of Public Relations of Nepali Army on Tuesday said the Army Chief, during his meeting with the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, told the prime minister that the army was extremely positive toward the peace process initiated by the government and would support it to meet people’s aspiration for peace.

The army chief’s meeting with Koirala is believed to be his farewell call to the prime minister since General Thapa, is going on official leave from Thursday for a month that will culminate in his retirement on September 9.

Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Pyar Jung Thapa (File photo)
Lieutenant General of Nepal Army, Rukmangad Katawal and Major Generals Govinda Bahadur Gurung and Kiran Shumser Thapa were also present on the occasion.

The release further said that General Thapa also stressed the need for united efforts of the government, people and security forces to overcome all the problems facing the country.

“Sound civil-military cooperation would play a vital role in forming a collective stance on crucial issues like national interest and security,” the release quoted Thapa as saying.

On the occasion, Katawal informed the Prime Minister about various security related issues like National Security, Army’s strategy, Role of the Nepali Army, Welfare Schemes, Peace Keepers, natural conservation and development works, while Gurung and Thapa also briefed the prime minister about functions and responsibilities of their respective departments in the army.

Earlier, the Army used to brief the King about security related issues.

The reinstated parliament in a bid to drastically cut royal privileges deprived the King from the post of head of the army and brought the army under the control of the parliament.