United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has said he is heartened by the recent developments in Nepal.

In a statement issued in New York on Thursday, Annan said the royal proclamation of April 24 reinstating Parliament was a positive step that opens the door for a political process to end the decade-old conflict and addresses its underlying causes on the basis of wishes of the Nepali people.

Annan also welcomed the announcement by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) of a three-month-long ceasefire as a step that will further ease the suffering of ordinary Nepalis and foster confidence between the soon-to-be-formed Government and the Maoists.

Maoists had declared unilateral ceasefire around mid-night on Wednesday.

Annan expressed hope that the ceasefire will be reciprocated and that both sides will continue to exercise restraint and wisdom in managing what will be a complex democratic transition through patient dialogue.

Annan had issued two statements after the beginning of peoples’ movement on April 6 calling on the royal government to respect human rights and work towards restoring peace in the country. nepalnews.com ia Apr 29 06