The two main ruling partners, CPN Maoist) and CPN (UML), today reached an understanding to reconstitute the special committee for army integration and try to convince the Nepali Congress to join it.

UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal speaking at a programme in the capital Tuesday revealed that a meeting of the high-level coordination committee of the two parties held earlier today took this decision. According to him, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been given the responsibility to nominate the members of the special committee.

He said policy issues concerning the army integration have already been agreed upon and added that the ultimatum given by the Nepali Congress with demands including dissolution of the committee and immediate return of properties sized by Maoists during wartime would only make matters complicated.

Meanwhile, a member of the Maoist-UML coordination committee, said the two parties have agreed to carry out the army integration process as per the understanding signed by the seven parties that were part of a coalition.

The meeting of the coordination committee decided to make efforts to take the NC into confidence for army integration, Dina Nath Sharma, a Maoist leader and member of the two-party committee, told reporters. nepalnews.com mk Nov 11 08