KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala on Saturday underscored the need for a high-level mechanism to take the peace process forward and draft the new constitution within the stipulated time.

The octogenarian leader also said the Unified CPN-Maoist was positive to set up such a mechanism.

Talking to former UNMIN chief Ian Martin at his residence in Maharajgunj, Koirala said the mechanism would play a constructive role in enhancing the confidence among the parties and pave the way to take the peace process to a logical conclusion.

“The mechanism is necessary to revitalise the parties. That is why I have been trying to set

up such a mechanism,”

Koirala told Martin, according to his foreign relations advisor Dr Suresh Chalise.

In response, Martin expressed confidence that the peace

process would reach a positive conclusion in Koirala’s leadership. He also appreciated the

idea of forming high-level mechanism of political parties, according to Dr Chalise.

During the meeting, Martin expressed concern about the progress made in the

peace process.