KATHMANDU: The British Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Peace-building, Jack McConnell called on Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at the latter’s office at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

During the meet that spanned 45 minutes, McConnell handed over a letter to PM Nepal from his British counterpart Gordon Brown.

The purpose of his visit and subsequent meeting with the PM Nepal was to express support of the United Kingdom to the ongoing constitution writing task and peace process, said the British emissary, who arrived in Nepal just today on a 3-day visit.

Besides, the two dwelt upon the contemporary issues including the mandate of the OHCHR-Nepal and the UNMIN, and the integration and rehabilitation task of the Maoist combatants, who have been residing in the UNMIN-monitored cantonments, he added.

"Peace process is very important to the people of Nepal and we are willing to extend every possible support to it," he said.

"PM Nepal told McConnell that the government was pushing ahead the integration and rehabilitation process of Maoist combatants as per the agreement reached between the government and the Maoists earlier,” said Rajan Bhattarai, the PM’s foreign relations advisor

Bhattarai also said the letter presented to the PM on behalf of his British counterpart Brown sought the government to complete the peace process on time and promulgate the new constitution within the stipulated timeframe.

He further said PM Nepal is of the opinion that the government would not extend the tenure of the UNMIN if it succeeds in completing the peace process within the deadline.

As to the fate of the OHCHR-Nepal, its tenure would be decided after discussing with the stakeholders, he added.