Kathmandu, September 14:

Newly-appointed Canadian ambassador to Nepal, David Maclon, today met Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai at the latter’s residence at Naya Bazaar.

During an hour-long meeting, the two discussed political developments in the country.

Bhattarai said during the meeting that the international community had an important role to play in preserving the entire peace process, according to a press communique issued by Bhattarai’s personal assistant Bishwodip Pandey.

The statement said the duo discussed the 16-year-old Bhutanese refugee impasse. The Canadian ambassador told Bhattarai that his country is always ready to assist in Nepal’s peace process, according to Pandey.