Norwegian minister for international development, Erik Solheim, who masterminded the peace process in Sri Lanka, is set to arrive in Nepal in the first week of May to extend support for peace process here.

Solheim, a senior leader of Socialist Party of Norway, will arrive in Kathmandu on May 2 a four-day tour

During his stay in Kathmandu, he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and leaders of CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress (Democratic).

Norway, one of main development partners of Nepal, had strongly objected the royal takeover of February 1, 2005, and subsequently announced to stop financial assistance to Nepal until the restoration of democratic process.

The Scandinavian nation had said the royal takeover was a setback to democracy and human rights in Nepal and an obstacle in finding a solution to the Maoist insurgency. nepalnews.com ia Apr 29 06